Austin Jarmuz ’27 Breaks 46-Year Record

Going into the 800m run at the Boys Varsity Invitational on April 21, Austin Jarmuz ’27 felt confident. It was the first race of the day for the University School of Milwaukee junior, so his legs were fresh, and the weather was promising. “At the start line, I could feel that everything was coming together; my legs felt strong, and the conditions were perfect with no wind,” he said.

With the stars aligned, Jarmuz raced to a 1st place finish and broke a school record in the process. His time of 1:58.66 bested the record of 1:59.10 set by Mark Pembroke ’81 in 1980. While luck was part of it, plenty of hard work and preparation went into his success, including early morning workouts, challenging track sessions, and an emphasis on nutrition, hydration, and getting enough sleep.

“When I finished the race, I felt exhausted but really proud and excited when my coaches told me I broke the record,” he wrote. “It was rewarding to see all the hard work and preparation pay off. Breaking the record at my home track made it even more special, and it motivates me to keep pushing and improving.”  

“I've coached a lot of athletes, but what Austin did goes beyond talent, said Kari Young, head track and field coach and USM physical education teacher. “For 46 years the record in the 800m run stood as a benchmark of greatness. This new record is the proof of all of his dedication, hard work, and sacrifices.”

Jarmuz also serves on the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team for 2025-26.