Pursing Her Dreams: From The Track To The Studio

Between being a student, running track and modeling professionally, Maryland’s Samantha Payne is pursuing her dreams and achieving success every day. 

Payne, a graduate student studying kinesiology and sprinter on the University of Maryland track team, has been interested in modeling since high school. She decided to finally pursue her dream in college.

“When I got to college, I was having photographers reach out to me,” Payne said, “They were like, ‘Hey, I would love to do a free shoot with you.’”

She took one of those offers and did her first professional photo shoot in Charlotte, North Carolina, just over an hour from her hometown of High Point. When Payne received her photos, she knew she wanted to continue modeling. 

“I posted those pictures on Instagram,” Payne said. “I had photographers that lived in the same area that also wanted to shoot with me.”

However, modeling was not her only accomplishment in North Carolina at the time. Payne was working towards her undergraduate degree from Catawba College, where she competed in track at the Division II level.  

Track wasn’t always something that Payne was interested in pursuing. Although she was not interested in sports, her father wanted her to join a team sport. When he suggested she run track, she decided to try it and signed up with her twin sister. 

“I remember going to the first day of practice, and I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is pain,’” Payne said, “Why would someone want to run track?”

Despite her initial reaction, Payne quickly realized she was good at track. In her first high school meet, she placed first in the 400-meter race, and during her junior year, she won a state title. 

While at Catawba, Payne was named a NCAA Division II All-American after finishing fourth in the 400-meter race in 2023 at the Track and Field NCAA Championships. She continued to win the Division II Indoor Pre-Nationals title in the 400 meter. To top it off, she placed first in the 400 meter and second in the 200 meter at the SAC Outdoor Championships in 2023. 

Payne has a more toned, athletic body type as a track athlete. Because of this, she knew she wanted to pursue modeling in the sports and fitness industry. After doing some research, she found the perfect agency for her. 

“I was just looking at modeling agencies and looking at what I can be and where I’m going to get recognized,” Payne said. “Wilhelmina popped up because they have a sports and fitness industry.”

After finding the agency, she sent in her photos and information, and she got in contact with an agent. 

Payne still had two years of eligibility after graduating from Catawba, and she wasn’t ready to give up track. It was then that she met someone who would shape the next few years of her life in a way that she had dreamed of. That person was Maryland track and field head coach Andrew Valmon. 

“I remember talking to Coach Valmon,” Payne said. “He has a daughter that signed with Wilhelmina. I was like, ‘I want to be close to New York. I want to be at a school that considers me and wants me, that has a good program, and I could be able to stay here in the summer and model for Wilhelmina.’”

When Payne spoke to Valmon, he mentioned that not only did he have a daughter who was signed with Wilhelmina — Mallory Valmon — but one of his former athletes had also been with the agency. He supplied Payne with both contacts, allowing her to gather more information and build connections. It was then that she realized Maryland was the place for her.

“Being in the DMV and close to New York, this is a hotbed for people wanting to do more,” Valmon said. “I think that’s the one thing about Maryland, our program, we encourage student-athletes just to be everything they want to be.”

As much as Payne loves modeling, it’s hard for her to find the time for casting calls when she’s in track season. She clarified to her agent that when she’s in-season, track is her priority. 

Her focus and drive while she’s in-season has undoubtedly paid off. Payne has accomplished several top-10 finishes in program history in the 600, 500, 400 and 300-meter races. 

Valmon expressed excitement about the upcoming outdoor season for Payne, noting that this season could be really special for her.

“Once outdoor comes, you’re going to see something special because she finally then will get that full year of training under her belt, being healthy,” Valmon said. “And obviously the sky’s the limit on what students can do when they’re prepared.”

Payne’s work in modeling and track has one significant parallel that she can apply to both industries to succeed: determination. She firmly believes that when you don’t get the opportunity you want, you have to pick yourself back up and keep pushing forward.

“You just have to keep trying at practice, keep excelling and you’ll have those opportunities come to you if you work for them,” Payne said.

Although Payne isn’t certain about her future??, she knows she would love to continue modeling when she finishes school and returns home to North Carolina. One local agency she’s eyeing is Directions USA.

Payne says modeling brings her joy and builds her confidence. Seeing her hard work pay off when she gets her photos back reminds her of her capability and inspires her.

“When I shoot with photographers and I see those photos, I think that’s what makes me happy and drives me to continue modeling,” Payne said. “When I have the pictures that are sent back to me, it just amazes me.”