Brookwood TC (GA)

Team Website / NTN Profile

Top Athletes: Keenan Harp (sprints), Tyler Anyan (distances), Robert Edwards (hurdles), Carter Hewitt (distances), Matt Caldwell (jumps), Jordan Thompson (throws), Cameron Lynch (throws), Justin Grose (pole vault) and Patrick Kelley (sprints).

Team Strengths: Running through much of the competition all season long in the state of Georgia, Brookwood showed strength in both the field events and on the track, offering a very nice mix that should keep them contending for a top three finish all day Friday.  Sprinter Keenan Harp, distance runners Carter Hewitt and Tyler Anyan, hurdler Robert Edwards and high jumper Matt Caldwell, each have a shot to place very well in their respective events.

Key to Success: Throws and distances are the two areas where Brookwood could really put some space between their competitors.  Jordan Thompson and Cameron Lynch are very solid throwers, and personal bests by either one of them gives this team a big boost.  Meanwhile, Hewitt (800m) and Anyan (1,600m) could give a big boost to their team if they challenge for the win in their races.  Both athletes seem poised to lower their best times a bit, especially considering the strength of competition they’ll receive.

Q&A with Coach Bill Shields

NTN: How is the team looking heading into Nike Track Nationals?

Bill Shields (BS): We feel good  - everyone is healthy and has continued to work hard even after our season was completed. We know there will be lots of great competition but are looking forward to the challenge.

NTN: You ranked US#1 at one point this season, and find yourself less than 75 points back from current US#1 Vista Murrieta TC.  What does your squad have to do in order to improve ever so slightly and take home the national title?

BS: We are honored to be in the top ten ranking with such other great schools across the country. There is an unbelievable amount of talent out there in the sport of track and field and we just have to keep doing what we do best and that is believe in ourselves and our abilities. I am fortunate to have such a great group of young men who push themselves to constantly improve and get better.

NTN: The Brookwood cross-country team has had a great deal of success.  Do you feel having strong cross-country and track and field squads work together?

BS: There is no question that our distance runners were a vital part of our success this season. We are fortunate that our cross-country coaches also work with them during the track season. There is a wonderful bond between the members of our team, who are always there to cheer on each other no matter who is competing.

NTN: You have a very diverse group of track and field athletes.  Is it a program plan to build a well-rounded track and field team every year?

BS: I feel that in order to be successful, you have to have that diversity. Each athlete plays a vital role in making a team successful and we are fortunate at Brookwood to have a large number of athletes in our track and field program. This season we had over 150 male track and field participants, many of them underclassmen.

We know that in order to stay at the top that you need to constantly be looking for athletes who can be successful in all aspects of a track program -  field events, sprints, and distance.

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