University of Tennessee Athletics
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November 19, 2000 | Women's Track
Brooke Novak Among The Best Middle Distance Runners To Ever Sign With UT
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A Track & Field News All-American in the mile with the talent and potential to one day join Jasmin Jones and Alisa Harvey as NCAA champions and Lady Vol middle distance legends, Brooke Novak of Kaukauna, Wis., has decided to sign with the University of Tennessee, head women's coach Myrtle Ferguson announced.
"This is the beginning of a new era for our distance program," Ferguson said. "For us to get someone of Brooke's caliber shows just where this team is headed. She is the best miler we've had come here in many years and is an example of the type of student-athlete we need to help our program reach its goals."
Novak, a product of Kaukauna High School, was honored by TFN for posting the fifth-fastest prep time nationally in the outdoor mile in 2000 at 4:49.80. Additionally, that publication ranked her seventh in the 3200m with a reading of 10:27.49. Those efforts would help her earn distinction as the 2000 Gatorade Track & Field Athlete of the Year for her home state.
Perhaps even more impressively, Novak broke Suzy Favor Hamilton's 1985 Wisconsin high school record for 1600 meters with a time of 4:48.13. Favor Hamilton, one the best female middle distance runners ever in the U.S. and the chief rival of UT's Jones during their collegiate days, was a multi-time All-American at the University of Wisconsin and is a three-time Olympian.
"To break Suzy Favor Hamilton's 15-year-old record, that shows you what kind of competitor we're talking about," first-year UT cross country and distance coach Rodney Rothoff said. "Brooke has the potential to come here and hold the records that Jasmin and Alisa have right now. People who can challenge or break the records of those three athletes don't come along every day."
"Brooke has worked hard for everything that has come her way, so she knows how that plays into the equation of being successful. She is going to be a very versatile athlete for Tennessee with her capability to run everything from 800 to 5000 meters, plus assist with relays."
"What makes this possible for Brooke is the impressive speed she has for a distance runner. She has a background of running the 200 and 400 meters in junior high, and that has in turn helped her become better at longer distances and earn All-America honors as a junior. Not only that, she also has some intangibles that separate her from others. She is a humble and down to earth person who is very likeable, which makes her a joy for her teammates and coaches to be around."
In addition to finishing fourth in the mile at the Foot Locker Nationals in 1999, other track and field honors include winning six sectional titles, completing the 1999 campaign undefeated in the 1600 and 3200 meters, grabbing all-league honors and earning team MVP accolades her first three years, and reaping Appleton Post-Crescent Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete of the Year distinction three times apiece. That newspaper also named Novak its 1999 Athlete of the Year for all sports.
Most recently, Novak followed up a third-place 1998 finish and a fourth-place 1999 result at the state cross country meet with a championship in Wisconsin's largest scholastic division. Her time of 14:11 for 4000 meters was a meet record. She wrapped up her career on the course as a three-time sectional champ, a four-time all-conference selection and a four-time team MVP.
"Brooke has the ability to impact our program in a number of ways," Rothoff said. "First, along with Sharon Dickie and our other distance athletes, she will help elevate our level of competition both on the track and in cross country - not only with her talents but also by helping make other people better. Second, she can help us bring back the strong Tennessee distance tradition. Third, her presence here will make other runners want to come here to train with someone of her caliber. And finally, I believe her contributions will not only help us become a Top 20 team next year, but her impact will be felt for years as she hopefully continues on to a successful career in the sport."
