By Derrick Smith

Success is something that each person strives for throughout their lives, although each person’s definition of success could be different. For some it could be improving and getting better, while others may only see success as a championship. For Addison Brooks, her success comes when she uses the gifts that God has given her. 

“Ultimately, gaining success in my sports has come from dedicating my every task to my heavenly father,” she said. “Every race, meet, and practice, my goal is to glorify God in the gift that he has given me. I strive to reflect Jesus in the way I run on and off the track. With this dedication, I have brought a consistent effort and attitude of excellence into my training. From practice, to meets, to state, I love to compete and push myself and my teammates to be our very best. I believe that my focus on Christ and consistent fervor for my sport is what has made me the successful athlete that I am today.”

Brooks, who is a senior at Lincoln Christian High school, is a member of the school’s track and cross country teams. She is involved with the National Honor Society. And away from school, she runs for the Oklahoma Cheetah Track Club.

There have been people throughout her athletic career that have influenced her both as an athlete and a person. 

“One of my biggest influences would definitely be my head track and cross country coach, Coach Stephen Lewelling or Coach Lew as we call him,” she said. “He is one of the most encouraging, passionate, and caring coaches that I have ever met. He invests so much of his time into each and every single one of his athletes; whether that is growing them spiritually, emotionally, or physically. Coach Lew strives to lead our team with Christ at the center of everything we do, which is why I believe we have been so successful.”

While she has experienced her own level of success throughout her career, Brooks says that her team’s success is what makes her the happiest. 

“I am very proud of my team as a whole this year,” she said. “I have loved to watch each athlete grow stronger. They are truly an amazing group of people that I will miss a lot whenever I graduate.”