Owen Brady chases down mile record for Quaker track
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 21, 2022) – High school senior Owen Brady is the new king of the mile for the Quaker track and field program.
Coach Jeremy Rodgers says Brady beat his own school record over the weekend, finishing the 1,600-meter race in 4:19.8 seconds – the first sub 4:20 mile in New Philadelphia track history.
“To break 4:20 in the mile is just really phenomenal, to see that much speed for that distance. It’s a testament to his training and the hard work he puts in,” said Rodgers, adding residents will often see Brady running around the city. “And some distance guys don’t like the weight room all that much, but oftentimes after practice when a lot of the kids leave, Owen’s in the weight room doing some weight training, too. He just really puts in the work.”
Rodgers says Brady played football in eighth grade but has worked on distance running since, helped by his dad, Quaker cross country coach Kip Brady.
“He’s got a good drill partner, too: Kayden Schoelles,” Rodgers said. “Those guys run together a lot and train together. That definitely helps push the both of them.”
Owen is committed to running track and cross country at Youngstown State University next year. For now, he’s leading a deep New Philadelphia track team looking forward to Saturday’s Gundy Invitational at Quaker Stadium.
“We have some pretty good relays and some pretty good individuals,” Rodgers said. “Our 4-by-200 got fourth at the Glen Oak meet, which was a pretty good accomplishment this early in the season. Reise Meechan won the long jump up there in the rain. He beat a really good field of jumpers. Kayden Schoelles jumped 6-2 at Meadowbrook, and O’Rhen Martin started running the hurdles and he’s also cleared 6-foot. Just having some depth at different events has really helped our team.”
Brady is also chasing down the school’s two-mile record this season. He placed eighth in the state in that event last year.