Brooke

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What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

I respect how Karate and track have helped me manage my Dyslexia teaching me how to breathe and relax, which helped me achieve B's this last year. I love the traveling and getting to meet fellow athletes from around the world and I am extremely excited being part of the next generation of great US athletes competing for the USMAT, USAKarate and the Junior Olympics in July&Nov. One of the big thing I love is the camaraderie I have with my teammates and the push we give each other.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

My main inspiration is my father and uncles who are both wounded /injured combat veterans. Watching them struggle through years of rehab and pain has given me the motivation to push through the hard workouts and see what the human spirit can overcome. My father lost his right leg in 2016 and even after more than 30 surgeries and being wheelchair bound has somehow managed to make all my competitions and is always cheering for me and my teammates.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

I have only been doing competitive Karate for four years and this summer I worked five weeks straight to learn the Olympic form of Karate and became a National Champion. This July I won four Silver Medals in Junior Olympic Games. It is a tie for my proudest moment. I made the USA International team and will represent the US in Norway against the other nations this November. Also, I am very proud that one of the young karate girls I mentored also became a National Champion.