scrunners: What were you thinking going into junior nationals?
brookins: I was thinking do what my coach taught me in practice and nothing different.
scrunners: When did you head to Indiana?
brookins: I left for Indy on the 18th, I think it was Sunday.
scrunners: How was your competition at the meet?
brookins: Juniors is always one of the most competitive meets. All the athletes are fast and usually ranked. It was tough but from my experience last year, I knew it would be.
scrunners: Did you get to talk with the other sprinters?
brookins: Oh yes, of course. We compete but we still like each other, I talked with Shayla Mahan, Breehana Jacobs, Breana Hubbard (Atlanta), Kenyanna Wilson, I met Danielle Tauro on the elevator. Sorry, I know I have left a few out.
scrunners: Explain the meet atmosphere.
brookins: It was HOT! I love the track but there is no shade at the stadium. I think the crowd was larger for juniors than last year. The crowd was exciting and loud.
scrunners: What kind of strategy did you have going to the meet?
brookins: To run my race. I have great practices and I knew if I could run in the race like I do in practice, I would be ok. I needed to execute my race.
scrunners: How has your training been going this summer?
brookins: My training has been great! I haven't had a lot of races after my injury. Juniors was my fourth outdoor race. I'm just happy to be on the track again.
scrunners: When will your summer season conclude?
brookins: I'm not sure yet, I'm having fun right now.
scrunners: When did you first find out about Pan-Ams?
brookins: Now out of all the questions you have ever asked me that maybe the toughest one. Last year I think a friend Paul Sabree (He coaches with Coach K.B. Brown, Westside) talked to my mom about me competing in the meet. My parents researched it and thought I should go.
scrunners: What were your initial thoughts?
brookins: Remember I haven't been running track a long time so I didn't really know the importance of it. I love to compete and looking at the entry list I knew fast girls would be there so I was up for it.
scrunners: Is anyone going with you?
brookins: I was hoping both of my parents would be able to make it, but this is the recruiting month for my dad with Clemson University men's basketball, so I am going with the team. My mom will come a few days later.
scrunners: Who is your coach for this and how will you communicate about training coming up to the meet?
brookins: I think the sprint coach will be Coach Dees from the University of South Carolina for the Pan-Ams. I'm in good hands.
scrunners: Do you know any of your fellow runners going to the meet?
brookins: I'm not sure of the athetes that will be on the team but I know I will know many of them. We see each other at the meets and I'm also looking forward to meeting new athletes.
scrunners: What are you looking to accomplish?
brookins: I want to represent the U.S.A. well on and off the track. The meet is out of the country which will be different from the United States. I don't know what the outcome will be, but I want to walk away knowing I did my best!
brookins: I was thinking do what my coach taught me in practice and nothing different.
scrunners: When did you head to Indiana?
brookins: I left for Indy on the 18th, I think it was Sunday.
scrunners: How was your competition at the meet?
brookins: Juniors is always one of the most competitive meets. All the athletes are fast and usually ranked. It was tough but from my experience last year, I knew it would be.
scrunners: Did you get to talk with the other sprinters?
brookins: Oh yes, of course. We compete but we still like each other, I talked with Shayla Mahan, Breehana Jacobs, Breana Hubbard (Atlanta), Kenyanna Wilson, I met Danielle Tauro on the elevator. Sorry, I know I have left a few out.
scrunners: Explain the meet atmosphere.
brookins: It was HOT! I love the track but there is no shade at the stadium. I think the crowd was larger for juniors than last year. The crowd was exciting and loud.
scrunners: What kind of strategy did you have going to the meet?
brookins: To run my race. I have great practices and I knew if I could run in the race like I do in practice, I would be ok. I needed to execute my race.
scrunners: How has your training been going this summer?
brookins: My training has been great! I haven't had a lot of races after my injury. Juniors was my fourth outdoor race. I'm just happy to be on the track again.
scrunners: When will your summer season conclude?
brookins: I'm not sure yet, I'm having fun right now.
scrunners: When did you first find out about Pan-Ams?
brookins: Now out of all the questions you have ever asked me that maybe the toughest one. Last year I think a friend Paul Sabree (He coaches with Coach K.B. Brown, Westside) talked to my mom about me competing in the meet. My parents researched it and thought I should go.
scrunners: What were your initial thoughts?
brookins: Remember I haven't been running track a long time so I didn't really know the importance of it. I love to compete and looking at the entry list I knew fast girls would be there so I was up for it.
scrunners: Is anyone going with you?
brookins: I was hoping both of my parents would be able to make it, but this is the recruiting month for my dad with Clemson University men's basketball, so I am going with the team. My mom will come a few days later.
scrunners: Who is your coach for this and how will you communicate about training coming up to the meet?
brookins: I think the sprint coach will be Coach Dees from the University of South Carolina for the Pan-Ams. I'm in good hands.
scrunners: Do you know any of your fellow runners going to the meet?
brookins: I'm not sure of the athetes that will be on the team but I know I will know many of them. We see each other at the meets and I'm also looking forward to meeting new athletes.
scrunners: What are you looking to accomplish?
brookins: I want to represent the U.S.A. well on and off the track. The meet is out of the country which will be different from the United States. I don't know what the outcome will be, but I want to walk away knowing I did my best!
