Payton Brown Relay Team Breaks Augustana Record and Named Division-II National Athletes of the Week

Payton Brown, a 2024 graduate of MHS and a freshman at Augustana University, and his Viking teammates broke the Augustana school record in the men’s Distance Medley Relay. The team of Brown, Jude Jarding, Tyson Ricker, and Ryan Hartman clocked in at 9:49.64 at the Drake Relays held in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, April 26. The four runners were also named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division-II National Athletes of the Week after their performance at Drake.

After winning the race, Payton said, “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Everyone had to do their part in getting Ryan the baton in a good spot. Once we got him in the front pack, we were sure we could win because he was the only four-minute miler in that pack.” Payton said it was a privilege to have Ryan, whose hometown is Wausau, Wisconsin, on their medley team this year, but he is ready to graduate this month. Jude is also a freshman and Tyson is a sophomore, so Payton thinks they have a chance to keep on breaking records.

Payton was also an outstanding runner on the MHS track and field team during his high school career. He holds records in the  800, 1600, and 3200-meter runs at his alma mater. Along with his relay team members, he collected several second place all-time finishes in the 400 and 800-meter relays and the Sprint Medley 1600-meter relay. 

Payton is the son of Patrick and Jenny Brown of Stockholm. He is pursuing a double major in accounting and business.