Rogers State University Athletics

About: Payne is set for his senior season as a Hillcat after running for a team best 8k time of 26:17 at the Bison Invitational as a junior in 2012. The 26:17 time ranks third all-time for an 8k race in Hillcat Cross Country history and is Payne’s personal best. He earned Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition in both cross country and track as a junior. In his sophomore season he ran a then-personal best of 15:30 in the 5k, 26:52 in the 8k and 4:06 1500 meter race. At the conference meet he led the Hillcats with a 27:01.90 time in the 8k event, placing 25^th. In the classroom Payne was named to the President’s Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA.  He finished second on the team in every race and first in one race as a freshman. Brandon set his personal record at the regionals meet with an 8k time of 26:52. Payne came to RSU from Henryetta High, where he is the record holder for the 800m (2:01), 1600m (4:38), 3200m (10:23), the 3200m relay, and the 5k (17:11).  In 2010, he finished 2nd in the 3200m and 3rd in the 1600m at the state championships.  He was an All-State cross country selection in 2009. In 2007, Payne was part of an academic state championship in cross country. His favorite runner is Steve Prefontaine. Payne graduated as the Valedictorian of Henryetta High.