Mackenzie Brown: East Texas’ Olympic Archer Extraordinaire

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (TXAN 24) — Mackenzie Brown was born March 14, 1995, from Flint, Texas. She first picked up a bow through Texas’ National Archery in the Schools program and never looked back. A former swimmer turned elite archer, she quickly climbed the ranks with early international medals and a fierce drive to succeed.

Olympic Breakthrough

Brown became a household name in East Texas in 2016 when she qualified as the only female archer on Team USA for the Rio Olympics. At just 21, she beat Italy’s Claudia Mandia before falling in a tight match to Myanmar’s San Yu Htwe. It was a historic run for the Flint native.

Tokyo Takeover

In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Brown returned with fire. She ranked 5th overall in qualification with a score of 668 and reached the semifinals after a thrilling shoot-off victory against Mexico’s Alejandra Valencia. Though she just missed the podium, finishing 4th, it marked one of the best U.S. Olympic finishes in women’s archery in nearly 50 years.

Beyond the Bow

Outside of competition, Brown enjoys baking, fishing, photography, and knitting. She’s also deeply rooted in her Texas upbringing, even while training at the Olympic Training Center in California.

Switch to Compound

In 2022, Brown announced a transition to compound archery after marrying fellow archer Zach Prugh. She called it a “partial retirement” from recurve competition, aiming for more balance in life while still competing at a high level.

Legacy in the Making

Mackenzie Brown’s journey from East Texas to Olympic legend continues to inspire. Whether she’s winning medals or mentoring the next generation, her aim is still true—and her story is far from over.