THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270244
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 103 lines
IN AN AGE when college recruiters are battling the loss of athletes to increased SAT and grade standards, Brooke Coley is a blessing.
At a time when politicians are bemoaning the loss of family values and a structured home life, Coley is spending every Sunday with family - cousins and all.
When most students are struggling to survive the pressures of high school, Coley is flourishing as a four-sport, multiple-activity teenager. In fact, the Oscar Smith junior is the top student in her class with a 4.175 grade point average, a star forward on her select soccer team and a stellar goalkeeper on the new Tiger field hockey team.
``The only thing is juggling your time,'' Coley said of any hardship her lifestyle causes. ``I have quite a teenagehood.''
When not in the classroom, on the field hockey or soccer field or basketball court or track, Coley dedicates her time to fellow students as a tutor and is a member of several organizations. In the summer, she models and plays basketball.
``I do have free time,'' she said. ``Sunday mostly is the day I spend with my family. We have dinner, I see all my cousins and catch up on the week. My whole family lives here, so it keeps us closer. We're all together.''
The family support has nourished a strong will to help others. Coley ``adopts'' fellow students, encouraging them to chase their dreams. Despite all the constraints on her time, she takes the time to be a teenager, avidly following the football team and making a visit to Disneyland every summer.
During the day, Coley is busy with her load of advanced placement U.S. history, calculus, chemistry and Spanish IV. After school, she rushes to Oscar Smith field hockey practice at Crestwood Elementary then heads to practice soccer with her select team.
``When I get home, I just go in my room, sit down and say `Whew,' '' she said. ``I need to take a break for a minute.''
Field hockey is the latest challenge added to Coley's athletic list. The sport is new in Chesapeake this season.
Coley missed much of the summer practice schedule because of her job - she simply did not have time to go take the required physical. Finally, she went to a Norfolk physician and sat in his office for more than four hours to get the needed exam.
When she showed up at practice the next day, coach Patty Walsh handed her some goalie equipment and stood her between two tires - the Tigers makeshift field while cages were missing.
``To be a goalie, you've got to have that person that's got that killer instinct and is a natural athlete,'' Walsh said. ``She's a very smart young lady and she's gutsy. Intellectually, when you tell her something, she remembers it. Once you explain how to do something a certain way, she does it.''
Coley never saw a goal cage until she defended one in a game against Granby.
``I went to practice and the next thing I know, they're putting me in goal with all this equipment on,'' Coley said. ``I was wondering, `Now what do I do?' ''
Coley had to learn quickly. The Tigers lost a pair of nondistrict games, one a scrimmage, to Granby by scores of 3-0 and 1-0. In their district opener, the Tigers downed Deep Creek 1-0 and Joetta Thorpe scored the first goal by a Chesapeake player.
``The first game, I was kind of nervous,'' Coley said. ``I just knew they were going to come charging into us. But they didn't. Although we weren't skill-wise ready, we were physically ready. Oscar Smith is a team of athletes.''
Coley has had little trouble adjusting between her select soccer role as a forward and her goalkeeping duties in field hockey.
``I'm just a really competitive person,'' she said. ``When somebody gets in that circle, you keep an eye on that little-bitty ball. You're booting it out. Then, when it's gone, you can see the relief of your teammates.''
Unlike basketball, where one can overcome a defensive error by racing downcourt and scoring, Coley is unable to equalize any goal she may allow. Therefore, she is intensely ambitious about stopping forwards.
``The thing in my head is I just want to protect my zone,'' Coley said. ``This is mine and nobody's getting in there. It's a feeling you get when you see them coming towards you. You're responsible for this. Once they score a goal, that puts us in an awkward position. So, when I see them coming back, I get in the zone. Sometimes, they catch you off guard. Sometimes, it's luck.''
Intense team practices are honing Coley's skills in the net. Facing teammates on two-on-one drills, she is prepared for the breakaways. One-on-one drills teach her to be quick, to watch for a well-aimed shot.
``In practice, they do a pretty good job,'' Coley said. ``I feel like if I can stop them, I can stop anybody. They don't take pity on me, they know they are preparing me, so I take no pity on them.''
Looking at the big picture, Coley sees field hockey preparing her for basketball season. Walsh coaches both teams and has seven players that compete in both. The bonding and conditioning will be well underway for this core group, and the Tigers will be able to concentrate on the business of playing basketball.
``We get more like a team,'' said Coley, a 5-foot-10 forward during basketball season. ``The relationship, that helps us. Now we will only have to get to know about five more players.''
Getting to know people is one of Coley's strengths. Walking the halls of Oscar Smith, everyone seems to know her name, teachers smile in her direction and even the principal recognizes her on sight.
``I just like this school,'' Coley said. ``A lot. I wouldn't change if somebody paid me.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Brooke Coley is a four-sport athlete at Oscar Smith High School with
a 4.175 grade point average.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS by CNB