One of the best stories to come out of the high school winter sports state championship season was at the 2021 boys’ swimming and diving championships in Laramie.

Brayden Brown of Lander is a highly accomplished distance swimmer for the 3A state champion Lander Tigers.

Brown won his second consecutive 500-freestyle last month and earned the second all-state award in his prep swimming career.

What you probably don’t know about Brayden is his battle with cystic fibrosis from birth. Brown has fought his way through to become a top-notch swimmer in Wyoming.

At last month’s boys’ state swim meet, Brown was given the Nancy Nakahara Profiles in Courage Award from the Wyoming Coaches Association. He was presented the honor by WCA President Dean Schaff.

According to the WCA, the purpose of this award is to recognize young athletes who have had to overcome adversity in order to fulfill their athletic dreams (e.g., disability, illness, tragedy). The nomination process occurs through any WCA member who recognizes a deserving athlete by submitting a one-page description of a personal triumph. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 15.

You can watch the full presentation of the award to Brayden Brown in the video above. You’ll notice the announcer getting a little choked up, but even this reporter admits to having some watery eyes. His grandmother and father were in attendance at the meet. You will see them in the photos.

Congratulations to Brayden. This is a well-deserved honor!

Brayden Brown, Lander swimming, 2021
David Settle, WyoPreps.com
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