By Hayden Swope

Sammie Brooks of Buhler knows a lot about hard work and accomplishing goals. Last season Brooks broke a record, and she’s hoping to break a couple more.

“I broke the saves per game school record last year and am looking to break the record of shut out games before my senior season is over,” Brooks said. “I strive for our team to win regionals, continuing into the postseason.”

A busy sports schedule has kept Brooks in shape and has helped prepare her for the long spring season ahead.

“I am a three sport athlete so focusing on just soccer was a struggle,” Brooks said. “However, I did participate in our weekly workouts as well as soccer tournaments this summer. I kept myself in shape with the two previous sports seasons I participated in and kept an excited and positive attitude towards the future season. A particular weakness I’ve wanted to improve on was ball placement in my goal kicks.”

A last minute lineup change threw young freshman Brooks into a game just minutes before start time, but it’s something that will go down in history and will be remembered for a long time.

“My favorite memory of soccer was during my freshman year,” Brooks said. “Our varsity goalie had gotten hurt and I was thrown into the game 10 minutes before the game started. We went on to win the quarter finals game and the celebration after the final buzzer is a moment I will never forget. The team stormed the field and formed a celebratory circle around me. We continued to the state championship game for the first time in school history and it was an honor to be an important part of that success.”