MADISON, Ohio – Brayden Richards, a former track star for Perry High School, will compete Wednesday, June 11, in the finals of the NCAA decathlon in Eugene, Or.
The Decathlon consists of 10 track and field events: the 100 meters; Long jump; Shot put; High jump; 400 meters; 110 meters Hurdles; Discus; Pole vault; Javelin throw and 1500 meters. The winner of the Decathlon often wears the title of the “the greatest athlete in the world.”
Richards — who just completed his freshman year at the United States Air Force Academy — is ranked in the Top 24 track and field athletes in the country.
As a high school athlete, he competed for Perry High School in state competition in the 300-meter Hurdles, the 110-meter Hurdles and the Pole vault. Considered a “Blue Chip Athlete,” he was recruited by 36 Division One schools before choosing the USAF Academy.
He has competed twice in national competition and placed 20th in world competition last summer in Lima, Peru – just two weeks after completing basic training with the US Air Force.
Richards’ father – Layne Richards, is the Varsity Track Coach, and football coach, for Perry High School. His parents met while competing on the same track team at The Ohio State University.
Brayden competed against his brother, Javin – a student at Utah State University – recently, at the NCAA West Preliminaries at Texas A&M University to advance to the NCAA Finals.
He is being considered as a “shoe-in” as a member of the 2028 United States Olympic team which will compete in Los Angeles.
After the NCAA finals, Richards must report back to the USAF Academy for summer combat training, then will return home to Madison for just one week before reporting to the Missionary Training Center to prepare to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ventura, CA.
