If Argo senior Peyton Lupo is more graceful than most shortstops, it’s no wonder.
She’s a four-time conference champion and a two-time state qualifier in diving.
Lupo is probably more spectacular than most shortstops as well, given her diving style.
“I’m more of a twisting person,” Lupo said. “In diving, you can do multiple flips and then you can do multiple twists. I like twisting off the board. That’s my main thing.”
Nothing was hit her way Tuesday, but Lupo made a splash with her bat for the host Argonauts during a 7-2 South Suburban Red victory over Eisenhower in Summit.
Faith Garza went 3-for-3 with a triple to lead Argo (11-11, 5-10). Jiselle Gonzales and Hailey Pacheco added two hits apiece. Pacheco also struck out 10 for the pitching victory.
Marisa Blackhawk and Lan Krapf each had a hit for Eisenhower (7-14, 3-12).
Lupo’s offensive contributions for Argo, meanwhile, included two walks, a booming triple and a stolen base. You can’t beat power out of the leadoff spot in the order.
“If I see the first pitch and I like it, I’m going to swing,” Lupo said. “The first thing I like, I just go for it. I used to in the past wait and then I’d get behind in the count.
“This season, I completely changed my mindset. I just say ‘yes, yes, yes’ the whole time I’m up to bat and then say ‘no’ if the pitch is bad.”
She’s a good listener, too. After an early strikeout, Lupo walked over to Argo coach Russ Nowak and asked him about adjusting her swing.
Whatever they said worked because Lupo launched a rocket with one out in the top of the fourth inning that bounced off the fence in center field for a triple. She later scored on a sacrifice fly by Yulianna Vargas.
For the season, Lupo is hitting .375 with a .458 on-base percentage. She has 22 runs, seven doubles and three triples. She has also stolen 15 bases.
“Peyton is just a really good athlete,” Nowak said. “She has been solid for us for four years. We can pretty much put her anywhere on the field. She even pitched for us a couple of years ago.
“She’s our ‘break glass in case of emergency’ pitcher. And she did when we needed her to. Just an elite athlete.”
Senior catcher Gabriella Vasquez enjoys the view better, though, when Lupo is at short.
“She’s pretty smooth on the field,” Vasquez said. “She’s just a leader out there. She takes care of the ball when she gets it. You know you can count on her to make the plays she needs to make.”
Lupo’s big claim to fame for the Argonauts is in the swimming pool, however.
“The first time I ever dove was my freshman year at Argo,” she said. “I did what I needed to do my four years here and I’m very satisfied with it.”
Her four conference titles and two appearances at state have put her in the pantheon of Argo’s best-ever divers.
Vasquez would attest to that.
“I went to her conference meet last year last year and then I went to state to watch her this year,” Vasquez said. “You can really tell she was born to do it.”
Pretty amazing for a kid who couldn’t swim when she enrolled at the school.
“I actually still can’t swim,” Lupo said, smiling. “On senior night this year, I had to swim one lap with my team. It was the worst thing ever. Everyone was laughing at me because I can’t swim.”
And without a doubt ready with smiles and hugs.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
