Payton McGhee, a 2008 graduate of Luverne High School, is literally running away with his freshman track season victories at Troy University.

Over the last two months, McGhee managed to grab the fastest collegiate time in the 100 meter race at a meet at Birmingham-Southern, placed first in the 4×2 relay at Florida State University as well as placing first in the distance medley relay also at FSU in March.

At the South Alabama Invitational in Mobile earlier this month, McGhee won the 4×1 relay, and also finished first place in the 100 meter race with a time of 10.91 seconds, gaining him his first gold medal in his college career. He also placed third in the 200-meter race, shattering his old record of 22.16 seconds by 21.84 seconds.

McGhee is currently ranked eighth in the 100-meter race, tenth in the 200, and second in the 4×1 relay in the Sun Belt Conference.

“Payton is just starting to get where he needs to be,” Troy’s track coach Jill Lancaster said.

Last Saturday, McGhee, along with team members Lamar Hicks, Antonio McLeod and Burke Leonce, qualified for the regionals. They will head to the Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 8 – 10 in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at Middle Tennessee State University.

Payton is the son of Pamelia McGhee and Michael Nix.