Brooks Chosen For Phyllis Roney Award

Janelle Brooks (Sr. • Janesville) received the Phyllis Roney Coaches Award at UW-Oshkosh’s Hall of Fame & Senior Awards Banquet on Sunday (May 6).

The Phyllis Roney Award honors a female student-athlete who displays outstanding leadership, character, courage and sportsmanship. The recipient must achieve academic and athletic success, be a role model and provide community service.

Brooks lettered in women’s cross country each of the past four years. She could not compete in 2011 due to a rib injury. Despite her misfortune, Brooks continued to support her teammates at practice every day. She underwent surgery last January.

Brooks posted her best finish (23rd place) of 2010 at the Midwest Open. During 2009, she clocked a 5,000-meter time of 20:53 for 18th place at the Carroll University Invitational. Brooks finished 37th at the 2008 WIAC Championship with her 6,000-meter time of 23:30.

In track and field, Brooks was a member of UW-Oshkosh’s indoor and outdoor national championship teams during 2011. She earned outdoor letters from 2009-11 and indoor letters in 2010 and 2011.

Brooks owns a 3.60 cumulative grade-point average as an education major. Her volunteer work includes teaching English at Japanese summer camps and reading to elementary school students. She also participates in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Relay For Life.

The Phyllis Roney Award has been presented to 13 women since 2000.