Brooks looks to further ascend on the track
In her second year of high school track, Isis Brooks of East Forsyth has firmly established herself as an up-and-coming talent. There’s no way to predict if she’ll challenge for a top-three finish at the Class 4-A State Outdoor Track Championships on May 17. What is abundantly clear is that she has a promising future in the 100 and 200-meter sprints.
Brooks put on a noteworthy display at the Scott Brent Invitational in April. She won both races convincingly in a meet that serves as the City-County Track and Field Championships. Brooks, however, quickly acknowledged that some of the top sprinters in the county did not compete. Parkland’s girls were no-shows because the Mustangs opted to run in the prestigious Arcadia Invitational (Calif.) on the day that the Brent event was held.
“I realized that some of the top people weren’t there,” said Brooks, who ran 12.24 seconds in the 100 and 25.10 seconds in the 200. “But at the same time, it was still good competition and I was happy with my times for that day. Winning those races gave me a lot of confidence. It proves that as long as I put my mind to it, I can do whatever it is that I set out to do.”
Brooks, a sophomore who runs with the Tri-City Relays during the summer months, admittedly has a way to go in her development. The prime focus of her training, explained Coach James Studevent, is to build strength and stamina.
“Isis was skilled when she came to East Forsyth,” he said. “So now it’s a matter of enhancing what she’s already developed. In order for her to be at her best, she has to be durable so she can consistently run strong in the prelims and finals of her events. Staying injury free is the key.”
Earlier this year, Brooks served notice that she would be a factor. In the 55-meter dash at the state indoor track championships, she ran 7.26 seconds, which was good enough for sixth place. In that race, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth-place runners were separated by only .15 seconds. With that finish, Brooks made good on her goal to make the 55-meter finals at the state championships.
Brooks, who stands 5-feet 3 ½ and weighs 115 pounds, is on course to earn a trip to the outdoor championships. She’s already met the qualifying standards for the Midwest 4-A Regional Championships in her events (12.14 seconds in the 100 and 25.10 seconds in the 200). With a top-four regional finish, she advances to the state.
“There’s some great talent in the sprints around the state,” she said. “My goal for outdoor state is the same as I had for indoors. I want that opportunity to compete (in the finals) so I can see where I stand against the best.”
