Joos Remains Lone National Champion in History of Wooster Women’s Athletics

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.