Payton Foster, a rising Greenwich High School junior, earned All-America High School swimming honors for the second straight year, after producing a sensational sophomore season for the Cardinals this past fall.

The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association recently released its 2021-2022 Girls Swimming High School All-America lists and Foster received All-America accolades in two individual events.

Foster placed second at the CIAC State Open title in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:00.35, an All-American performance. Her time was the 31st fastest time in the country, giving her NISCA All-America honors. The NISCA awards the swimmers with the top 100 times in each event with All-America accolades.

Lauren Walsh, a 2022 Trumbull graduate, won the 200-yard IM title at the State Open in a NISCA All-America time of 2:00.19.

“Payton did a great job last fall swimming for GHS, and stepped up in every racing situation,” Greenwich High School girls swimming coach Brendan Heller said. “She really likes to win and refused to back down in a close race. Her 200 IM battle versus Lauren Walsh in the State Open Championship was one of the most exciting races I’ve seen, and it landed her with the 31st fastest time in the entire country.”

Foster’s 2021 season for the Cardinals also included a third-place finish in the 200 IM at the Class LL Championships. At the 2021 State Open Championships, Foster won the 500-yard freestyle with a NISCA All-America time of 4:54.59. Foster’s time in the 500 freestyle ranked 72nd in the nation.

“Her 500 freestyle title at the State Opens helped us secure our team victory and it was also the second fastest time in Greenwich High School program history (only behind Megan Lynch ’20),” Heller noted.

Greenwich captured the team title at the 2021 State Open, Class LL and FCIAC Championships this past November. Foster also claimed the gold medal in the 500 freestyle race at the Class LL Championships and posted first-place finishes in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the FCIAC championship meet.

“In addition to her individual All-American races, Payton was incredible as a relay anchor for us all year,” Heller said. “It didn’t matter if she dove in behind, we knew that if we were able to keep a race close, she would have a very good shot to come from behind and get us a win. She is a gamer and that was something that was invaluable for us all season long. I expect Payton to continue to improve and wouldn’t be surprised if she is able to take down some of the Greenwich High School school and FCIAC records over the next two years.”

During the 2020 season, Foster was a NISCA All-American as part of Greenwich’s 400-freestyle relay team as a freshman.