This summer, Claremont High School alumni Brittany Brown rose to the top and won Bronze in the Women’s 200 meter at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The bronze medal this year is particularly special, as there is a piece of the Eiffel Tower placed in the middle to symbolize both the geographical location and all the hard work athletes put in to qualify for the Olympics. Just like her medal, Brown too is unique, as a piece of her story starts here at Claremont High School. Officially starting her track career at CHS, Brown represented Claremont at the USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, earning the national title in the 100 meter. She also broke track records in the 100 meter and 200 meter at CHS, titles she still holds today.
Like many of our current seniors, Brown faced the question of where she would end up for college. Knowing that she wanted to get recruited for track, she held out through her senior year. staying positive that it would all work out. Unbeknownst to Brown, an athlete and friend at the University of Iowa had been spreading her name to their head coach. By spring she was signed and committed to Iowa, ready to put in the work to be a collegiate athlete. Continuing the trend of breaking records, Brown set Iowa’s record for the outdoor 100 meter and 200 meter. After graduation, Brown continued to race, winning the silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in the 200 meter. She was aiming to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, a goal she had mentioned to the Wolfpacket in her interview in 2019. Though the 2020 games were moved to 2021 due to COVID-19, Brown was able to continue her upward trajectory as she trained, competed, and qualified at the 2023 World Championship, setting her new goal of the 2024 Olympics.
“It took lots of dedication and rededication when trying to achieve my goal; I am always trying to recommit and keep trying, even when you don’t make it the first time,” Brown said.
Brown believes that she was able to gain these titles as she had the ability to refocus herself each year. Transitioning from high school to college to professional track, she had to ground herself and reevaluate her goals. With the help of her coaches, Brown was able to be in positions to achieve all of her goals.
Looking back at her time at CHS, she appreciates that at Claremont everyone can embrace and express who they are as a person, always being able to find what interests them.
“Claremont High has definitely taught me how to express myself on and off the track, and how to find the space for that wherever I go,” Brown said.
With shoutouts to teachers and coaches Brown wants to thank,
“ Mrs. Crowell, my track coach, who was also my AVID teacher; Mr. Troesh, my counselor; and Mrs. Carter, Mr. Payne and everyone else who helped me along the way.”
The next Olympics, in 2028, will be in Los Angeles. Brown looks forward to the familiarity of racing in her hometown. Until then, she will continue to work hard and train for the 2028 games, remembering to commit herself to this new goal. In the coming season we are all excited to watch Brown continue to break records and win titles. Brown is an inspiration to all student athletes; a reminder that anything can be done if you put in the work and continue to push yourself to achieve your goals.
