Jayden Brookins '26 Recruiting Profile

At the end of my collegiate career, I want to have made a lasting, positive impact—not just on my coaches, teammates, and classmates, but on anyone I encounter, whether through running or other areas of life. While I am highly self-motivated to improve in everything I do, I also value strong team culture and believe in growing alongside others. I want to be part of an environment where we push each other to be better—on and off the track and XC courses. Growing up, I played a variety of sports including basketball, soccer, swimming, and golf. These experiences taught me what it means to be both a good teammate and a dedicated athlete. What sets me apart from other recruits is my determination to finish what I start. A strong example of this is the finalization of my Eagle Scout project—one of the final steps toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout in the Scouts of America. This achievement highlights my leadership, perseverance, and commitment to service. In addition to athletics, I’ve been involved in numerous productions, including plays and musicals since I was 6, and just recently have started participating in of ballets for the Dubuque CIty Youth Ballet. These experiences have strengthened my flexibility, discipline, and ability to adapt—skills that directly benefit me as a runner. I believe I have the tools, mindset, and work ethic to succeed not only as a runner, but also as a leader and teammate who is willing to do whatever it takes to reach collective and individual goals.