Eleven years ago, in sixth grade, Trey Brokaw began his track career. Brokaw was one of the smallest kids in his class, so football never seemed like the best choice for him.

Growing up, Brokaw also participated in basketball and soccer, but running is just what felt right.

“My favorite thing (about running) is that you get out of it what you put into it,” Brokaw said.  “A lot of sports are relying on talent and stuff like that, but with track and field and cross country, a lot of it also revolves around worth ethic. So how hard you work has a lot to do with how successful you are.”

Emporia State Head Coach Steven Blocker has known Brokaw since high school. While coaching at a tiny college called Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, Blocker recruited Brokaw. When Blocker got a job here, Brokaw came with him.

Now a senior physical education major with a coaching minor, Brokaw participates in cross country and track and field. During track, Brokaw runs everything from the 800 meter run to the 5,000 meter run. And Brokaw plans to become a cross country and track and field coach.

“Without a doubt, he is extremely reliant,” Blocker said. “He is going to come back here next year and be a student coach, and, you know, not everyone gets to do that.”

Brokaw is known to be a great leader to both his teammates and coaches. He is always pushing to help his teammates be the best they can be.

“He works hard, and he never takes a day off,” said sophomore sprinter Ryan Dickson.

Brokaw has a way with his teammates. He has a great sense of humor, but he knows when to buckle down and work hard.

“He can tell by how a guy runs if they are hurting or not feeling too well,” Dickson said.

Brokaw is committed and dedicated to both running and his schoolwork and is on the Academic Honor Roll for athletics.

“He is probably one of our biggest leaders,” Blocker said. “Trey is definitely a kid that doesn’t have a whole lot of natural talent, but his worth ethic is impeccable.”

Bernard Lagat, an American distance runner, is Brokaw’s favorite athlete. Brokaw admires his hard work, and the fact that Lagat is just a “good all-around guy.”

Brokaw has high hopes for the season. He believes that they have a great chance at succeeding during their Outdoor Conference meet.

“I think last year we got third… I would not be surprised if we placed right around the same as last year,” he said.

Taylor Scott