SEASIDE, Ore. (KOIN) — In Seaside, “Westerholm” is a household name. Before going on to play at Portland State University, Bill Westerholm was a fearsome safety for the Gulls.
Now his son, Payton, is leading the Gulls to new heights — under the watchful eye of Coach Bill Westerholm.
“I see him at school all day, see him at practice all day and then I go home to him so there’s really no off time,” he told KOIN 6 New. “He’s like my forcible best friend.”
The Gulls are averaging 45 points a game. Payton credits at least part of that to the fact that in the Westerholm household, competition is the name of the game,
“He’s always on me, always makes sure I’m doing my best,” Payton said. “That’s definitely made me better for sure.”
It’s always been that way.
“Even as a young kid, just as a kid, just watching football and he was always talking about it and I always just wanted to be out on the football field and playing football,” Payton said. “Growing up it was just all sports all the time, I guess, and if not playing a sport it’s definitely watching a sport on TV.”
While the comparisons and nicknames between father and son come easily, Payton Westerholm is quickly establishing his own Seaside legacy.