SIOUX FALLS – The last time Braden Peterson was able to compete in a State Track Meet at Howard Wood Field in Sioux Falls, he was a sophomore with the Edgemont Moguls.
It was a very successful 2022 meet for him, as he earned his first-ever state medals when he stepped up onto the podium to accept fifth place in the Class “B” 400-meter dash (52.42) and sixth place in the long jump (19-9.5).
At that same meet, he also got to watch his older sister Morgan Peterson climb to the very top of the podium to win her second consecutive gold medal when she went back-to-back to earn another Class “B” 300-meter hurdle title.
That No. 1 spot on the top of the podium is where he wanted to be as well, and he was poised to do it his junior season, after transferring to Hot Springs.
The move to wear the blue and white of the Bison allowed him to compete alongside his cousin Matt Close in football, basketball and track, but his hopes of winning a state track gold medal that first year in Hot Springs were cut short when an injury ended his 2023 season in April.
However, this past weekend in Sioux Falls, his dream of climbing to the top of the podium finally came true – not once; not twice; but three times, for winning the 100-meters, 200-meters and Sprint Medley relay. In addition to his three gold medals, he also won a silver medal in the 400-meters and was named the Class “A” Boys Track MVP of the entire meet.
Peterson’s name is also now attached to a total a six school records, including three individual records for the 100-meters (10.7) which was set in the prelims at the state meet; the 200-meters (21.97) set in the prelims at the state meet as well; and also the 400-meters (48.59) which was set in the finals at the state meet and broke his own previous record set earlier this year.
In addition to his three individual records, Peterson is also a part of three school record relays including the Sprint Medley (3:35.57) reset at the state meet; the 4x100m (44.08) and the 4x200m (1:31.10).
Despite Peterson running the 400-meters faster than 70 other Class AA, A and B boys at this year’s state meet, one runner did cross the finish line ahead of him by about a quarter-second, and that was Jude Jarding of West Central, who earned the top time of the meet with a 48.32.
Noticeably disappointed after the race with his second place 400-meter finish, Peterson knew he would have an opportunity to redeem himself in his final race of day when he would run side-by-side with Jarding in the 200-meters.
At the end of the 200-meter race – where Jarding finished third, nearly a half-second behind him – Peterson pumped his fists downward in victory and yelled to himself, “Hell Yeah, Let’s Go!”
When asked about this somewhat rare outward expression of emotion by the usually soft-spoken young man, Peterson said, “I think it was mainly because I took second in the 400 and I was really looking forward to winning that one. The kid that I lost to was also in the lane right next to me and I kind of just ‘got my get back.’ I used that as fuel and it kind of just pushed me to the end.”
Peterson’s coach, Mike Close, who is also his uncle, said, “Braden’s 200 was my favorite race for him. He had a chip on his shoulder after getting silver in the 400. He left no doubt and ran away with the 200.”
When asked which of his four state medals were the most gratifying for him, Peterson said it was probably his team’s Sprint Medley gold medal.
“With the Medley, I’m with my teammates and it brings us together,” he said. “It feels good to run as a unit.”
Reflecting back on his junior season, when he could only watch from the sidelines due to his injury, Peterson said he definitely used it as fuel for his senior season.
“I knew I was going to compete well last year. That injury stopped me from being able to do that so it really just motivated me the entire summer and throughout football season and basketball season as well, to keep working hard and get back to where I was, if not further.”
Despite attending school and competing as a Bison in Hot Springs for the past two years, Braden grew up a Mogul and still lives in Edgemont with his family. Knowing that he has support from both communities is something that is special to Peterson.
“It really just multiplies the support behind me and it does make me work a lot harder and it makes me feel better knowing that I got people in different places supporting me,” he said.
Looking ahead to next year, when both he and his cousin Matt will be competing alongside one another at Dakota State University in Madison, Peterson said he hopes to continue their record-breaking ways.
“I really want to, not only get faster, but set new records at a higher level as well.”