ROCK ISLAND, Illinois – Ryan Brown, a standout athlete from Shelbyville High School in Shelbyville, Illinois, has decided to continue his educational and athletic pursuits at Augustana in the upcoming school year. He plans on enrolling this fall and competing with Coach Paul Olsen’s Viking track & field and cross country programs.

Brown was a four-year letter winner in both track & field and cross country for Coach Kevin Kramer at Shelbyville. He was a four-time All-Okaw Valley Conference honoree in track, competing in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters. He won the Okaw Valley 3200 meter championship this year and also finished third in the 1600 with a personal best time of 4:45.75. His other best marks include 10:11 at 3200 meters and 2:12 at 800 meters.

In cross country, Brown was a three-time all-conference performer and won championships at both the Okaw Valley Conference meet and Robinson regional as a senior. He went on to finish fourth at the Paxton Buckley Loda sectional and 18th at the IHSA Class A state meet, earning all-state recognition. He was also honored as co-winner of the Shelbyville Daily Union “Area Fall Male Athlete of the Year”. His personal best over three miles is 15:39.

In addition, the 5’9”, 138-pound Brown was a two-year letter winner in wrestling, finishing 18-10 and taking second place in the 135-pound division at the Robinson regional as a senior. His wrestling coach at Shelbyville was Brett Porter.

Ryan is the son of Hope and Rick Brown of Shelbyville, Illinois. He’s a National Honor Society member and was honored as Shelbyville’s January 2009 “Student of the Month”. He’s anticipating a major in secondary education or mathematics at Augustana.

Brown will be joining an Augustana track & field program, led by the legendary Olsen, that entered the 2009 spring season as the defending College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin outdoor champion. The Vikings have captured 15 CCIW outdoor titles, 11 of which have come under Olsen, the 2008 United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III “National Coach of the Year”. Olsen also leads the Viking cross country program which has 11 top ten national finishes under his guidance.