photo credit: Maci Gerboth
Brooke can see the finishline. However, her legs are burning and shaking, seemingly about to buckle beneath her.
Her whole body screams, telling Brooke she can’t make it even one step farther. Despite this pain, she continues racing to the finishline, where all her months-long training is rewarded.
Sophomore Brooke Chapman runs both track and cross country for the school. She currently holds two school records in track and cross country despite only being a sophomore.
As a freshman, Chapman placed fourth in the 4×400 meter relay and sixth in the 800 meter event at the 2023 OHSAA State Track Meet. This school year, Chapman placed fourth in the OHSAA Cross Country Meet and 12th at the NXR Midwest Regionals for cross country.
Though Chapman has only been competing at the high school level for two years, her running journey began long before. Chapman knew early on that she wanted to try running as her main sport, following in her family’s footsteps.
“Going into middle school I knew I wanted to try running because my brother ran cross country for a year and I always heard stories of my uncle running when he was in high school,” Chapman said.
Therefore, Chapman’s running career began in the middle school cross country team in her seventh grade year. Since then, she found new friendships and inspiration across the sport.
“My biggest inspiration is my teammates, current and past. They inspire me every day and continue to push me and make me a better runner. My old teammates, who are now running in college, also inspire me by seeing them run and how hard they work,” Chapman said.
Though Chapman mostly speaks of her teammates’ hard work, her discipline does not go unnoticed. Science Teacher and Head Track Coach Adam Walters witnessed Chapman’s hard work and its results over the past two years.
“I would describe Brooke as hardworking. Her strongest quality is her willingness to compete and always try her best,” Walters said.
Although it’s clear Chapman has a lot of love for running, she is also aware of the challenges that come along with being an athlete.
“I’d say one of the hardest parts of running is the mental side of it and pushing myself to be the best I can,” Chapman said.
Like Chapman, many athletes also struggle with mental strength while competing. But off the course, Chapman also faces the challenge of being a student as well as an athlete.
“The hardest part about being a student-athlete I would say is just managing my time between practices, meets and schoolwork,” Chapman said.
Despite various challenges and stress in her daily life, Chapman remains positive and approachable. Walters experiences her positivity as both an athlete and a person.
“Brooke is a very positive and coachable athlete. As a person, she is funny and likes to have fun,” Walters said.
Chapman claims that she can remain positive because of support from her family, coaches and teammates.
“I get a lot of support from my friends and family, and I am so thankful for it. I love it when I see them at my meets and can hear them cheering for me. it means so much to me. My teammates and coaches are also so encouraging and supportive, and they make running more fun,” Chapman said.
With all determination, discipline and encouragement, both Chapman and Walters have big expectations for the future of her running career.
“A goal I have for the rest of high school is to win a state championship in cross country or track. I would also like to go for a couple more school records,” Chapman said.
Walters is confident that Brooke will see lots of success in her future, and he hopes to witness it as her coach.
“I just want to see her continue to improve and grow as an athlete and person. If she stays healthy, she’ll be able to be a multiple-time all-state athlete and with a little luck maybe a state champion,” Walters said.
Chapman is focused on crossing the finish line for her sophomore year track season and maybe even winning a state championship.
