Athlete of the Week: John Payne Duling, TFA boys lacrosse

The First Academy boys lacrosse team’s 7-2 record this season wouldn’t be possible without its goalie’s efforts. The junior goalie, John Payne Duling, has limited his opponents to 38 goals this season, while TFA has tallied 90. 

Payne Duling is a three-year starter on the Royal’s roster. He celebrated reaching his 400th career save during the team’s game against Buchholz Saturday, Feb. 21. 

What do you enjoy most about lacrosse? 

I enjoy the thrill of winning and encouraging my teammates. I also love to see my teammates improve over the years.

When did you start lacrosse, and why did you join? 

I started playing lacrosse in first grade. I joined because I wanted to find a sport that I could grow up playing.

What is your biggest accomplishment in lacrosse? 

My biggest accomplishment in lacrosse was making my 400th career save.

What has lacrosse taught you? 

Lacrosse has taught me to stay calm under pressure, forget about my mistakes and encourage others.

How would you describe yourself as a teammate? 

I would describe myself as hard-working, encouraging and a great example for my teammates.

What advice would you give someone who just joined lacrosse?

I would tell them to know their worth, control your emotions and remain humble throughout their whole career.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team? 

I would tell the team that there is nothing to lose and to give it their all for their teammates.

What is your pre-game ritual? 

My pre-game ritual is sitting in the locker room and taking time to get my mind right for the game.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? Why? 

I would choose to play football if I didn’t play lacrosse, because I have a lot of friends who play football, and I used to play it.

Who do you look up to the most? 

I look up to coach (Reed) Reynolds the most, because he has taught me and helped me improve so much in my high school career.

What is something new you’d like to learn? 

I would like to learn more about construction management, because that is the career I want to pursue after college.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? 

I would like to live in Colorado if I didn’t live in Florida, because I love to snowboard.

If you won the lottery what would you do with the money? 

If I won the lottery, I would buy a sports facility and invest my money into helping future athletes to become the best version of themselves.

What is your favorite holiday? Why? 

My favorite holiday is Christmas, because it celebrates the birth of Christ.

What future career do you want to have? 

In the future, I would like to go to college and study construction management. I want to own my own construction company.

If you became famous, what would it be for? 

If I became famous, it would be for owning a huge construction company in the Orlando area.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose? 

The spirit animal I would choose to be would be a dog, because they are loving and seem so happy all the time.

What is your perfect day? 

My perfect day is a nice sunny day, 65 degrees out and with lacrosse practice.

Would you rather only eat fruit or vegetables? Why? 

I would rather eat vegetables because they go better with dinners than fruit does.