Lc’s Teresa Brooks Gets Into Stride

Raw talent can take a person far. Being able to nurture it and coax along the athlete is the coach’s job. Teresa Brooks has both on her side.

Brooks is a sophomore at Lewis and Clark and is already a promising runner for the Tiger track team.

For one so young, she has an immense supply of talent that coach Mark Vandine is happy to monitor the next few years.

“She doesn’t realize what she’s capable of yet,” Vandine said. “I’m really excited to see the time when she does realize it.”

For Brooks, track is all about image - the personal kind.

“It’s a self-esteem booster for me. … It makes you feel good about something you’ve done,” she said.

Brooks started running with her uncle in Africa, and when her family came to the United States, she was able to run in school. Brooks thought she might take a whirl at track after playing softball with the boys. She outran most of them, and she knew they hated that.

“I thought, ‘Maybe I should do track,”’ she said.

Last season, Brooks went to the State AAA meet and finished third in the 400 meters and anchored the champion 1,600-relay team. Not bad for a freshman. But Brooks is happier with her performance this year.

“I think I’m a stronger runner this year. I think I’m mentally smarter,” she said. “Last year I was kind of out there running because my coach made me.”

Saturday, Brooks won the 400 meters at the state-qualifying Eastern regional at Central Valley and will be heading back in that event and the 1,600 relay.

Vandine can see potential in Brooks but isn’t willing to speculate on how far she can go if she really applies herself, he said.

“It’s just hard to tell with someone her age,” he said.

Both Vandine and Brooks have seen her maturity rise. Brooks has been living with Linda Lanker, former coach of Team Spokane and a collegiate trackster, for the past five months.

“She kind of lays it out for me. I like it,” Brooks said said.

Brooks believes that because Lanker is a coach, it has helped her on and off the track.

“I saw her in church one day. She told me that if I ever needed anywhere to go, her doors were always open. Me and my mom, with me being the typical teenager, didn’t get along,” she said.

Brooks felt she needed to make a decision soon about whom she would live with and decided to move in with Lanker.

“It’s helped a lot. I’m more focused on track. … Her being a coach, it has helped me a lot,” Brooks said.

Vandine said Brooks is more settled down since developing a stronger religious commitment. “She’s able to be a lot more focused,” he said. “She’s an easygoing young lady with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”

Brooks’ eagerness has translated to wins for LC. Brooks has been consistent in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. She also runs in the 400 relay.

“I like the teamwork of track … I like being on the team (relay) better,” she said. “I’m not as stressed.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo