Tia Brooks
Event: Shot Put
Height: 6-0
Weight: 240
PR: 18.47m/60-7.25 (2012)
Born: 08/02/1990
Current Residence: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
High School: East Kentwood H.S. '09
College: Oklahoma ’13
Coach: Brian Blutreich
Agent: self
Sponsor:
Club:
USA Championships
3rd at 2012 Olympic Trials (18.34m/60-2)
Collegiate Championships
Two-time 2012 NCAA champion – Indoors (19.00m/62-4); Outdoors (18.44m/60-6)
Two-time 2011 NCAA runner-up – Indoors (17.40m/57-1); Outdoors (18.00m/59-0.75)
About Tia
If Brooks had her way in high school, she never would have picked up the shot. But thankfully her coach John Makinen talked Brooks out of competing in the sprints and had her compete in the throws. During her freshman year of college, she had an incident during a weightlifting session where she suddenly lost feeling in her legs and had to be carried out of the weight room on a spine-board. After medical evaluation, it was determined that Brooks had two bulging discs, degenerative disc disorder and a narrowing of her spine. While a doctor suggested that Brooks choose a different sport, she was not deterred and after a year off and lots of rehab and strengthening work, she came back in 2010 to finish 4th at USA Outdoors. Since then, Brooks has been on a roll with two NCAA titles and a spot on Team USA for the 2012 Olympics.
Results
2013: 1st at NCAA Indoors (19.22m/63-0.75); 1st at Big 12 Indoor (18.52m/60-9.25)
2012: 11th in qualifying round at Olympic Games (17.72m/58-2): 3rd at Olympic Trials (18.34m/60-2); 1st at NCAA Outdoors (18.44m/60-6); 1st at Big 12 Outdoors (18.22m/59-9.5); 1st at Drake Relays (18.47m/60-7.25); 1st at NCAA Indoors (19.00m/62-4); 1st at Big 12 Indoors (18.46m/60-6.75); 4th at USATF Classic (18.19m/59-8.25)
2011: 5th at USA Outdoors (17.43m/57-2.25); 2nd at NCAA Outdoors (18.00m/59-.75); 2nd at Big 12 Outdoors (17.42m/57-2); 1st at Drake Relays (17.37m/57); 2nd at NCAA Indoors (17.40m/57-1); 1st at Big 12 Indoors (17.40m/57-1)
2010: 4th at USA Outdoors (17.37m/57); 9th at NCAA Outdoors (15.58m/51' 1.5); 2nd at Big 12 Outdoors (16.33m/53.7); 5th at NCAA Indoors (16.74m/54-11.25)
2008: 9th at USA Junior Championships (14.48m/47-6.25)
U.S./World Rankings and Personal Bests
2012: Outdoor bests - 19.00m/62-4 (No. 4 in the USA, No. 26 in the world, ranked No. 3 in the USA by T&FN)
2011: Outdoor bests – 18.00m/59-0.75 (No. 4 in the USA, ranked No. 4 in the USA by T&FN)
2010: Outdoor bests – 17.37m/57-0 (No. 10 in the USA, ranked No. 10 in the USA by T&FN)