Braydon Barth
Braydon Barth
Class Year
’26
Hometown
Bartlett, Illinois
Major(s)
Secondary Education, Exercise and Sport Science
Sport(s)
Cross Country, Track and Field
Braydon Barth ’26, a double major in secondary education and exercise and sport science, began his running career in middle school and now competes for the Carthage men’s cross country and track and field teams, specializing in the 5K and 10K. With his background in athletics and college education, he plans to become a physical education teacher.
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Why I chose Carthage
“I chose Carthage because of two reasons. First, it was because I heard Carthage had an amazing physical education program. The second reason is because I was recruited to run here. During the recruitment process, I got to meet the team, and I instantly felt at home. I knew that this was the program that I belonged in.”
What it means to be a Firebird
“Being a Firebird means I am competitive and motivated. No matter the circumstances and no matter the situation, being a Firebird always allows me to rise from the ashes.”
My favorite team memory
“My favorite memory was when Carthage qualified for cross country nationals as a team for the first time in school history. That was just a historic moment, and to be a part of it was spectacular.”
What makes the student-athlete community special
“Honestly, I love the student-athlete community. Every athlete at Carthage wants to see our teams succeed, and being in a community surrounded by competitive individuals helps me become more competitive myself.”
How I balance academics and athletics
“I would say time management is key to success as a student-athlete. Additionally, I make sure to turn in my assignments on time and stay proactive with projects and studying for tests.”
The support that helps me succeed
“Coach Josh Henry is truly incredible at what he does. He not only helps me succeed as an athlete, but he also just cares about me and every athlete on the team as individuals. He always goes above and beyond to help us improve. The faculty are also very supportive in helping me balance athletics and school. They are always understanding and will help me make up my exams in case I have to miss one due to a competition.”
My biggest accomplishment at Carthage
“I feel like my biggest accomplishment is the athletic growth I’ve made from my freshman to sophomore year. I was not the fastest recruit coming in; however, my hard work paid off my sophomore year — I was running significantly faster than when I started.”
My favorite athletic facility
“I would say the outdoor track. It’s a very good track, and it just always feels like home when I’m running on it.”
Advice for other student-athletes
“If you love your sport, don’t stop at the high school level. I felt that high school was just the beginning of my journey in running and that pursuing something more in college has led me to an amazing program that has helped me grow as a person and as an athlete.”