Before ACU: Competed for Medina Valley HS in Castroville, TX southwest of San Antonio. Competing in District 28-5A, Paiten finished 4^th in the 800 in 2023; 2^nd in the 800 in 2022; and her most successful year was as a HS sophomore in 2021, when she won the District 28-5A title and went on to make the finals at the Region IV-5A meet, getting 8^th in the 800 with her all-time HS best time of 2:25.95. She was also the MVP of the T&F team.
 
Personal: Paiten graduated from Medina Valley HS in 2023, where she was also an officer in the National Honor Society. She was also active as a volunteer in Kinetic Kids and FCA. Her Mother is Kristen Sanders. Emma is majoring in Kinesiology at ACU.