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 Girls Swim Team reflect on their time here at Brooks and on their team.

Captain:
​Payton Brown​

Stay strong and just keep swimming.

​Payton Brown has been a member of the swim team for three years, competing in the 100-meter backstroke and the 200 individual medley while serving as team captain. With several years of competitive swimming experience before joining the program, Payton entered the team with a strong foundation. She describes her experience as “great,” emphasizing how much swimming taught her both as an athlete and as a leader. 

Throughout her time on the team, Payton credits swimming with shaping her communication skills, confidence, and perseverance. As captain, she learned how to effectively relay information, advocate for herself, and stand up for her teammates. When asked to describe her experience in one word, Payton chose “fulfilling,” reflecting on how meaningful it was to grow within the sport and the team. Her favorite memory came during her freshman year, when the team won the conference. The moment remains the highlight of her swimming career.  

Throughout her leadership, resilience, and consistency, Payton leaves behind the standard of determination and strength with her time as captain. She hopes that underclassmen will continue to push themselves and never give up, even when the journey becomes difficult. With her final goodbye, she leaves the underclassmen this message:
“Stay strong and just keep swimming.” 

Captain:
Rachel Burke

Always show up: for your team, for others, and at the very least, for yourself.

​Rachel Burke has been a member of the swim team since her sophomore year, competing in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, and multiple relay events while serving as team captain. She was first introduced to the program through being on the water polo team in her freshman year. What first began as a way to bond with her older, graduating sister became something more meaningful. Rachel describes her experience as “finding a family,” emphasizing that it was never a moment in which she felt put down, regardless of the performance or the kind of day she was having. 

Throughout her time on the team, Rachel credits swimming with teaching her how to grow within a team-centered environment. Surrounded by talented swimmers, she learned how to push herself while also understanding that wins and losses are shared experiences. When asked to describe her experience in one word, Rachel chose “attendance,” explaining that growth comes from consistently showing up for your team and yourself. One of her favorite memories came during her Junior year, just before the final relay event of the season, when her coach played music that energized the team and helped her swim the fastest she had ever. 

Rachel's legacy is rooted in presence, encouragement, and consistency. Through simply showing up, she helped create an environment where teammates supported one another, no matter the outcome. With her final goodbye, she leaves her underclassmen with this message:
“Always show up: for your team, for others, and at the very least, for yourself.” 

Nakiyah Wilks

Don’t give up, keep pushing, and believe in mind over matter.

​Nakiyah Wilks has been a member of the swim team for two years, competing in the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the 200 and 400 freestyle relay. She originally joined the team to challenge herself and try something new, a decision that quickly became more meaningful as the days went on, as she found a strong sense of community in the team. When describing her experience, Nakiyah said it was “wonderful,” emphasizing how supported and connected the team feels both in and out of the pool. 

Throughout her time on the team, Nakiyah has grown as both an athlete and a person. Swimming taught her how to take on new challenges and reinforced the idea that even when something feels physically or mentally difficult, it is still possible to push through. When asked to describe her experience in one word, Nakiyah chose “challenging,” explaining that swimming tested her to her fullest capabilities. One of her favorite memories came during a meet, when the team celebrated together in the locker room, and the coach stepped in to yell at everyone to calm down. The moment displayed the team's energy and closeness. 

Nakiyah leaves the swim team having proven to herself that she can overcome difficult moments through determination and belief. She hopes underclassmen remember that giving up is never the answer and that growth comes from pushing barriers. With her goodbye, she leaves this message for her underclassmen:
“Don’t give up, keep pushing, and believe in mind over matter.”

Adrian Waddler

Stay open-minded to criticism and other perspectives

​Adrian joined the swim team in her junior year, competing in the 50 freestyle and 200 freestyle relay. She initially joined to build conditions for the basketball season while also trying something new alongside her friends. What started as cross-training became an experience she describes as “enlightening and fun.”

Throughout her time on the team, Adrian explains that her mentality shifted as she learned not only the technical aspects of swimming but also more about the people around her. When asked to describe her experience in one word, she chose “hectic,” noting that every day brought something new, unexpected, and funny. One of her favorite memories was during a meet where she false-started an event without even noticing, a moment she still laughs at now.

Adrian leaves the swim team with a sense of openness and adaptability. With her final message to the underclassmen, she shares this:
“Stay open-minded to criticism and other perspectives.”
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.