One physical education class after another uses the gym.
But the floor needs regular maintenance the school district just hasnât been able to afford.
So, several groups stepped in to help recently.
Thanks to their efforts, they raised $20,000 needed for the three-week project that should begin later this month and wrap up in June. The district contracted Arizona Gym Floors to do the project.
Payson Golf Club held a golf tournament to raise money for the project, and Backwoods held a fundraiser. Keith Family Flooring, RVN3, the Mogollon Sporting Association and the MHA Foundation also donated to the project.
They either pass or fail.
On Saturday, Payson wrestlers demonstrated just how much theyâve learned since the start of this COVID-19 delayed and shortened season.
Eight Longhorns qualified for Thursdayâs AIA Division 3 State Championships at Poston Butte with top four finishes in the Section 2 Tournament in Wilson Dome. Itâs the most state qualifiers the Longhorns have produced since sending 12 wrestlers to state in 2013-14, topping each of the past six seasons.
Eight Payson wrestlers finished among the top four in their weight class in Saturdayâs Div. 3 Section 2 tournament at Wilson Dome. Pictured are (from left): Jacob Roberts, Toby Gressley, Nick Dimbat, Travis Christianson, Sal Sellis, Jimmy Johnson, Troy Daniels and Soto Sellis.Photos by Keith Morris/Roundup
The Longhorns overcame three forfeit losses in a win over Eastmark and four more in a win over Winslow.
But wrestling teams canât keep digging themselves out of those kinds of holes without getting buried against some of the best opponents theyâll see.
They faced their toughest of the young campaign on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Wilson Dome.
And San Tan Valley Combs took advantage of 24 forfeit points to hand Payson its first loss in three matches this season, 48-30.
The Coyotes won at nine of the 14 weights and picked up six points in six of their nine wins. The Coyotes recorded two pins to go with the four forfeit victories.
Itâs unclear if the games will be rescheduled.
It was to be the 3A East Region opener for the two Longhorn varsity squads.
Itâs the third game on the girls basketball schedule that hasnât been played. The Longhorns opened the season with a win at Camp Verde on Thursday, Jan. 21 after their scheduled opener at home against Fountain Hills was canceled by Fountain Hills.
The girlsâ Saturday, Jan. 23 game at Benjamin Franklin was also canceled.
Both the girls and the boys now shift focus playing at Show Low on Friday in the new region opener.
The wrestling team returns from a three-match opening week with a 2-1 record and another three matches in four days this week, starting at Snowflake at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Cottonwood Mingus visits Wilson Dome at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29. The Longhorns travel to Queen Creek American Leadership Academy at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30.
Months of hope amid delay turned to despair on Friday as the Arizona Interscholastic Association announced the cancellation of all winter sports.
Student-athletes on Payson Highâs boys and girls basketball and wrestling teams patiently waited and adjusted as the AIA pushed the start of winter sports competition from early December to mid-January and cut their schedules.
COVID-19 minimization efforts spurred the moves that included elimination of regular-season wrestling tournaments and a limit of one match per day for wrestlers prior to the section tournament, limiting teams to 14 dual matches in the shortened season.
With only duals allowed during the regular season rather than the common four-team formate with two matches going simultaneously, Payson would have been able to hold all home matches under one of the few spotlights in the state, which opponents love to wrestle under.