A small town girl with big time plans, Alissa Brooks-Johnson leads the Women's track field team as captain for her final season at Washington State.
 
Brooks-Johnson, a senior from Doty, Wash., graduated from Pe Ell High School. The K-12 school had a population of just over 250 students, a small town feel that Brooks-Johnson appreciated.
 
"I liked getting to grow up with the same people, everyone was very close," Brooks-Johnson said of her community.
 
With such a small population, it didn't take long for Brooks-Johnson to make a name for herself and stand out as an athlete. The 22-year-old started track in middle school after her mother, Karen Brooks, saw potential for success.
 
Karen coached her daughter for two years after Brooks-Johnson suggested she take the position at Pe Ell High School. The two had a great relationship and Brooks-Johnson enjoyed having her mom as not only a support system, but as a mentor.
 
Brooks-Johnson considers her mom her biggest inspiration. Being an only child, she grew up alongside her mom and the two developed a very tight bond.
 
"She's the kindest, nicest, sweetest soul you'll meet," Brooks-Johnson said of her mom. "She's understanding, hardworking, and determined. There's just not enough words to describe her."
 
Brooks-Johnson took up hurdles in high school, inspired by her mother who was also a hurdler. When she was being recruited by WSU, former track coach, Rick Sloan, decided he wanted to try her as a multi-events competitor.
 
Though at first she was unaware of what she was getting herself into, Brooks-Johnson is grateful for what Sloan saw in her. The multi competitor is a two time Pac-12 Heptathlon champion and holds the third-best WSU record in the pentathlon. She also holds the seventh-best WSU record for intermediate hurdles and has earned All-America Honors for her 2017 NCAA sixth-place finish in the heptathlon.
 
"She competes not only in a number of events, but competes at the highest level of every single one," said Wayne Phipps, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. "This comes from not just natural talent, but amazing work ethic."
 
Brooks-Johnson is multitalented both on and off the field, as she is pursuing her bachelors in Apparel Merchandising Design and Textiles as well as a bachelors in Sport Management. With a passion for athletics and marketing, she would love to hold a management position for an athletic apparel brand.
 
However, the competitor can't help but want to play her hand in many different roles. She plans on becoming a collegiate track coach, and eventually an Athletic Director. Her inspiration stems from the impact that coaches and the athletic department have had on her life.
 
"I hope to touch lives the way those in my life have touched mine," Brooks-Johnson said.
 
It'll be a while until Brooks-Johnson settles into a career, her first goal is to get sponsored and make it to the 2020 Olympics. She's been in mental preparation to start her extensive training as soon as she graduates.
 
Until then, Brooks-Johnson looks forward to stepping up as a leader for her team this season. She plans on bringing more focus into the value of teamwork in the individualized aspect of track. She wants to further her relationships with her teammates and have strong ties with each and every one of them before she departs from WSU.
 
"I'm excited for this season and for my future," Brooks-Johnson said. "Sports have always been a part of my life and I don't see that ever changing."