As their senior year approaches its end, Brooks athletes are preparing to say goodbye to their sports, routines, relationships, and moments that helped shape their high school career. From early morning practices to large events, the senior athletes have spent years committing themselves to something meaningful and worthwhile.  

For many, these themes were not just extracurriculars; they were families, support systems, and a space of growth. As their final season comes to a close, these seniors on the Boys Swim Team reflect on their time here at Brooks and on their team.

Captain:
Israel Bratton​

Growth comes with time, and all time is valuable.

​Israel Bratton has been a member of the swim team for all four years of high school, serving as varsity captain throughout his entire time. Competing in the 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, Israel joined the team to continue pushing himself in his swimming career, but what kept him invested in the team was the culture. He describes the team's energy as “unmatched,” emphasizing the way his teammates remain united no matter the situation.  He believes “the bond I believe this team has, even to those who've graduated earlier, is everlasting.”

Throughout his time on the team, Israel credits swimming with shaping him not only as an athlete but as a leader. He points to growth in communication, work ethic, and connection with others. He notes that the support system built within the team extends beyond graduation. When asked to describe his experience in one word, Israel picked “evolving,” highlighting how the team continuously gets better in regards to culture, connection, and athletics. While it's difficult for him to choose a single favorite memory, he states that meet days stand out the most as it is a truly bonding experience when he and his teammates huddle together, chant, and mentally prepare as they are united before stepping into mental blocks. 

Through energy, consistency, and connection, Israel helped create a team culture that will outlast his final race. In every practice, every huddle, and every meet, Israel proved that true leadership is about lifting others before diving into yourself. With his final goodbye, he leaves this message for the underclassmen:
"Growth comes with time, and all time is valuable."

Manager:
Damienne McCottrell

Never back down, even when people are hoping for it.

Damienne McCottrell joined the swim team in her sophomore year, not as a swimmer, but as a manager. What began as a chance to be involved in a sport turned into something deeper. She states that she “joined the swim team for a chance to be in a sport, and stayed because of the family she made.”

Throughout her time with both the boys' swim and water polo teams, Damienne describes growth that extended beyond athletics. She credits lessons from Coach Prater and the relationships she formed with teammates for shaping who she is today, noting that she built connections she would not have ever made otherwise. When asked to describe her experience in one word, Damienne chose “loving,” pointing to the constant support and laughter on the pool deck. Her favorite memory came during a recent practice. When looking at the team surrounding her, she realized how much they had grown together, especially the seniors. She describes it as a “full circle moment.”

Damienne may not have raced in the pool, but she shaped the team through love, loyalty, and dedication. With her final goodbye, her final lesson to her underclassmen is:
"Never back down, even when people are hoping for it."
​​

Reginald Burke​

Don't let the world dim your light, and forever continue to be authentically you.

​Reginald Burke has been a member of the boys swim team since his freshman year, competing across multiple events such as the 100 breaststroke, 100 freestyle, and 200 individual medley. He joined the team looking for a sport that would challenge him both physically and mentally. While swimming is often viewed as an individual sport, Reginald describes his experience as “one of the best ever,” emphasizing that teamwork plays a crucial role in the success of the entire team. 

Throughout his time on the team, Reginald credits swimming with shaping him both as an athlete and as a person. He explains that the sport has strengthened his athletic ability beyond the pool while also teaching him persistence, patience, and the value of consistent effort. When asked to describe his experience in one word, he chose “joyous,” explaining that the team comes together not only to swim, but to build bonds that last far beyond the season. His favorite memory was credited to city-wide meets, where competing against other schools showed the strength and unity of the team. 

Reginald leaves the team with a message rooted in confidence and self-belief. His time on the team reflected effort, positivity, and teamwork. With his final goodbye, he shares this advice with his underclassmen:
“Don't let the world dim your light, and forever continue to be authentically you.” 

Anjilo Elston

At Brooks, we are students before we are athletes. Athletics are important, but they're not everything.

​Anjilo Elston has been a member of the boys swim team since his sophomore year, competing in the 50 freestyle sprint and the 100 freestyle. He joined the team after discovering a genuine enjoyment for swimming while learning the sport during his time at Brooks. What began as a simple interest gradually turned into a space that challenged and supported him to be better alongside his teammates. 

Throughout his experience, Anjilo describes growth that extended beyond athletics. While he once viewed swimming as “just a sport,” he now sees it as a commitment to something larger than himself: a community built on shared effort and progress. When asked to describe his experience in one word, Anjilo chose “progressive,” explaining that even when the journey wasn't straightforward, the team consistently valued improvement. One of his favorite memories came from a lighthearted team moment, when he and his teammates bellyflopped off the diving boards together. 

Anjilo leaves the team with a perspective grounded in balance and self-awareness, shaped by growth inside and outside of the pool. With his final goodbye, he shares this message with his underclassmen:
“At Brooks, we are students before we are athletes. Athletics are important, but they're not everything.” 

Emmanuel Hill

Always push through to the end.

​Emanuel Hill joined the boys' swim team during his senior year, competing in the 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle. Although he has only been on the team for a short time, he describes his experience as welcoming and supportive. Originally joining to gain some experience in the water in preparation for joining the Navy, Emanuel quickly found himself embraced by the team the moment he arrived. 

Throughout his time on the team, Emanuel credits swimming with helping him grow both physically and mentally as the sport strengthened his body while also developing a work mentality centered on pushing through challenges. When asked to describe his experience in one word, he chose “inviting,” explaining that he was welcomed like family before many even knew his name. His favorite memory came during a Saturday meet, when the team formed a shuffle line and danced to the Cupid Shuffle together. 

Emmanuel leaves the team with a strong sense of discipline and belonging. His experience shows that community is built not by time, but by effort and inclusion. With his final goodbye, he shares this message with his underclassmen:
“Always push through to the end.” 

Anderson Pugh

There's always room to grow; never stop finding new ways to improve.

​Anderson Pugh has been a part of the boys' swim team since his sophomore year, competing in the 100 freestyle and 400 relay. After transferring schools, Anderson joined the program to continue his swimming career, quickly finding himself part of the team that balanced work with humor. He describes his experience as “helpful, encouraging, and hilarious,” highlighting the environment that made both practices and meetings memorable. 

Throughout his time on the team, Anderson credits the support of his coaches and teammates with helping him grow both academically and athletically. He learned that improvement is always possible, even in moments when it feels like you've reached your peak. When asked to describe his experience in one word, Anderson chose “creativity,” explaining that the team consistently finds new ways to stand out and do things no other team has done. One of his favorite memories came during his sophomore year, when he earned a medal at city championships as part of the 400 freestyle relay.

Through encouragement, originally, and constant growth, Anderson helped shape a team culture that values both progress and personality. With his final goodbye, he leaves this message to the underclassmen.
“There's always room to grow; never stop finding new ways to improve.” 

As this season comes to an end, these seniors leave behind so much more than just wins. Through tough practices and unforgettable moments, they built teams rooted in family and support. Each of them brought their own energy, leadership, humor, and heart into everything they did. In the process, they showed underclassmen what it truly means to stay committed and push through challenges. As they are leaving, the impact they’ve made on these teams and on each other will continue long after they’re gone.

MIRIAH BRADLEY