THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: MOMS and DAUGHTERS — It’s a special feeling for mothers watching their kids play sports — and the feeling is mutual from the kids

Lisa Cessna was a cheerleader at Sandpoint High, graduating in 1995.

Nearly three decades later, she’s still cheering — rooting on the three daughters raised by her and her husband Gary Cessna, also a Sandpoint High grad.

“It's been a really emotional last few weeks, because we’re about to be at the end,” Lisa said last Saturday, as her youngest daughter, Peyton, played softball against the Lakeland Hawks in Rathdrum. “I don’t know what I’m going to do after this year … It’s hard to put into words when you’re watching the end of the season for all of our kids — for all of us, moving on to a new era for our family.”

Lisa and Gary’s oldest daughter, Riley, played softball and basketball at Sandpoint High, graduating in 2021. Kelsey Cessna played soccer and basketball, graduating in 2023.

Peyton, who also played basketball and soccer in past years, is graduating this year.

“I like getting the support from her,” Peyton said. “And it’s really special because some of my teammates, some of their parents never come, and so it’s nice to see her out there, coming to my games.”

MOM’S MEMORIES?

“With Riley, one of our favorite memories was here (at Lakeland),” Lisa said. “A Lakeland pitcher, she was just on fire that season, and none of our girls could hit off of her, and Riley was only a sophomore, and she came up, not knowing any of that, and she just got the ball rolling and was hitting off her like crazy. And it was a fun game, and she was a fun player.”

In 2023, Kelsey Cessna played through a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus to help Sandpoint win its first state girls basketball title in school history.

“We were always worried — is she going to be able to finish?” Lisa recalled. “Should we be letting her play? The last year with Kelsey … just to have her finish the season, and to get through soccer, and then not knowing if she could ever play again … and then, should we let her (play)? I don’t want her to hurt herself where she couldn’t do anything the rest of her life. So it was very emotional … and that final game for Kelsey was amazing, because she just mentally went out there and said ‘this was mine.’ I still think about that.”

Lisa Cessna has been a math teacher at Sandpoint High since 2008. So many of the players she was watching on Saturday are in her class — including Peyton.

“She always just tells me to stay positive, because I can get upset sometimes,” Peyton said. “She’s always there to keep me positive.”

And she’s (almost) always there, watching her kids play.

“I think it’s important for them to know that we’re here for them, whether they’re winning or losing,” Lisa said. “I think I’ve taken every opportunity I can this season to make sure I’m there — even if I have to take off work, especially this year, more than ever.”

Now what? Peyton’s season, and high school career, ended this past week. She wants to go into radiographic science at North Idaho College, an ambitious pursuit which may not leave much time for athletics.

“Our oldest (Riley) is getting married this summer,” Lisa said. “It’s a whole new era for us, moving on to new things in our lives.

“It’s rewarding to watch your kids grow up, and be there for them through the highs and lows. I’ve been pretty emotional the last few weeks.”

KENDAL STERLING and her daughter, Payton, spent a total of four days at home one month last summer, between Payton’s obligations with her summer basketball team and travel softball team, and whatnot.

“Those long road trips, it’s one-on-one time with your kid, and it goes by really fast,” Kendal said. “That personal time that you get with them, that’s carved away for you. Because it’s easy to get caught up in life. But I enjoy watching her play, and watching her love it.”

Payton Sterling, a senior at Lakeland High, played four years of basketball and softball on the Hawks’ varsity teams. She also played volleyball and soccer, and competed in cross country, at various times in high school.

“My mom has missed two games my whole senior year, for basketball and softball,” Payton said. “So it means a lot that she’s here to watch me play my last games as an athlete, after she’s traveled with me for so long. I’ve played a lot of travel softball and travel basketball, and she’s always the one that’s on the go.”

Payton Sterling has been a team captain in basketball and softball each of the past two years.

“I think it’s taught her how to lead other women,” Kendal said. “And it is so special to watch her, and watch her leadership skills develop on the field. I think it will help her for life, with what sports has taught her. To watch her develop is just amazing.”

SO WHAT does mom get out of watching her daughter play?

“I love watching her play because she’s passionate about it, and I can tell that she’s smiling,” Kendal said. “Payton plays with a smile on her face the entire time, so I know she loves it. She’s a competitive kid … you spend that much time with people, and you spend that much time practicing, and working … it’s just nice to see that they all still enjoy it.”

Kendal is in her 15th year as a teacher at Athol Elementary. In the past, she taught kindergarten through second grade. This year, she teaches advanced learners.

“She’s what I aspire to be,” Payton said of her mom. “She’s really strong, and that’s what I look for, as an athlete and as a person.”

While other parents might shout out specific athletic instructions while their kid is out on the court, or on the field, Kendal said she tries to keep it light.

“My mom’s favorite thing to tell me when I’m hitting, or whatever I’m doing, is that I’m really pretty,” Payton said. “And that just makes me laugh.”

“Everybody’s always saying inspirational things, and so I will yell random things at her to make her laugh … the game can come so seriously,” Kendal said. “Her best friend calls her ‘Stinky P’, so we’ll always yell, ‘You’re really pretty,’ or ‘Hit the ball, Stinky P.’ We just yell things that genuinely would make her smile, and just know that if she strikes out or hits the ball, it’s going to be what it is.”

Payton has several offers to play softball in college, but wants to go into nursing. In addition to school and sports, she works 20 hours a week at a medical clinic in Post Falls, as part of an internship through KTEC.

As for a future without watching Payton?

“I think we’ll be really bored, I’m not going to lie,” Kendal said. “What are we going to do with this extra time, because sports takes up a lot of our time.”

Fortunately, Kendal and husband Josh also have a son, Parker, a freshman at Lakeland who competes in cross country and track and field.

Sometimes the parents would switch — mom would travel to watch Parker race, and Josh would do the same with Payton.

But this year?

“I kind of made it that she was a priority this year,” Kendal said. “I love her brother, but I’ve missed some things of his this year. But this is her last run at things, and I want to watch her finish out.” 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.

    MARK NELKE/Press Lisa Cessna, left, and her daughter, Sandpoint High senior Peyton Cessna.