The list of accomplishments for Brooke Joos, known as Brooke
Henderson during her time at the College of Wooster, reads off like
a ÒWhoÂs Who Among Division IIIÂs Greatest
SwimmersÓ, but she will always be remembered at Wooster for
her performance on one fateful day ´ March 10, 1989.
In a little more than a 24-second time period, Joos was etched
forever in Scot annals, as she became the first female in school
history to win a national championship. After becoming just the
second woman in Division III history to break the 24-second barrier
in the 50 freestyle (at that time) with a blistering pace of 23.49
during the preliminary heat, Joos cruised in with a winning time of
24.08 in the finals to set off a national title celebration at
Wooster that has not been seen since.
Despite placing among the top-three in three events at the 1988
Division III Swimming Championships, including runner-up in the 50
freestyle (24.12), Joos win came as a mild surprise because
of her uncharacteristic ho-hum performance at the North Coast
Athletic Conference meet earlier that winter.
However, after the preliminary heat that morning, her famous
confidence was brimming.
ÒI wasnÂt sure if I could come back and win it ??
because I did not swim well at the conference meet,Ó said
Joos back then, Òbut when I set the pool record in the
morning, I knew I could do it.Ó
Although some may remember her only for that national
championship, Joos career was an unending series of
highlights and ranks among the best of any womenÂs athlete at
the school.
ÒShe is the greatest swimmer in the history of Wooster
womenÂs swimming,Ó long-time Scot coach Keith Beckett
said without hesitation. ÒI also believe that without
question, she is one of the most accomplished women athletes at The
College of Wooster. It was a privilege and an honor for me to have
the opportunity to coach and work with her, and watch her
develop.Ó
Upon her graduation in 1989, Joos ranked as one of the top-12
leading point scorers in the history of the NCAA Division III
WomenÂs Swimming and Diving Championships. She obtained
All-American status 28 times, which is the maximum events a swimmer
can compete in at the national meet (seven each year). That
includes 19 mentions on to the All-America First Team (top-eight
finishes).
Additionally, Joos, who earned All-NCAC honors each season as
well, graduated with four individual school records and five others
as part of relays.
Following Wooster, she went on and continued her schooling,
receiving a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Then, Joos spent some time in St. Paul, Minn.,
where she earned a juris doctor from William Mitchell College of
Law.
Today, she is just as successful as ever. Joos is continuing the
family practice, as a lawyer in her fatherÂs firm of Collins
and Henderson in Beloit, Wis. Also, she is married to Gregory Joos
and the couple is busy taking care of their three-year-old daughter
Roxanne and expecting their second child soon.
