Instead of competing April 18 against St. Joseph in her best event, the 200-meter run, Niles High School junior Maya Brookins was in the bleachers spending time with friends.

Brookins was done because she had already competed in four events. The one unexpected event Brookins competed in was the 400-meter relay. Brookins replaced her injured sister Asiah.

A selfless act that makes Brookins a special person to go along with being a special talent.

“She was willing to step in when we asked her to,” first-year Niles girls track coach Rikki Jones said. “She does whatever you ask her to do to help the team. She’s just an all-around good kid and a hard worker, who’s very coachable. She brings something special to the track team.”

With Brookins running the first leg, the 400-meter relay team finished second with a time of 54.70.

That was the only time Brookins was a runner-up against St. Joseph as she finished first in the long jump (15-3 1/2), 100 meters (13.19) and 800-meter relay (1:54.25).

Unfortuately, those performances weren’t enough for the Niles girls track team to beat St. Joseph as the Bears won, 99-60.

“I think I did pretty well considering it was our first (outdoor) meet of the season,” Brookins said. “We’re just coming out here with fresh legs and you don’t know what to expect. I just tried my best.”

That best effort to go with her athletic ability has served Brookins well during her three years on the track team. During her freshman year, Brookins made it to the state finals as a freshman in the 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay.

Last year, Brookins qualified for the state finals again in the 400-meter relay and 800-meter relay and she also participated in the 100 meters.

Her best finish at the state finals was a second place showing in the 800-meter relay (1:43.26) as a sophomore.

“A goal this year is to get back to state and, hopefully, get first in something,” Brookins said. I think that I’m more motivated now. Coming in my freshman year I really didn’t know what to expect. Now, I know what I want to do and I know what I have to do to get there.

“During basketball season I had training (for track) that kept me in shape during the offseason. I did more running this year and a lot of weight lifting and stuff like that to help me get stronger for this season.”

Brookins would love to join her mother as a first place medalist at the state finals. Deborah Brookins accomplished that feat in the 100 meters as a track athlete at Dowagiac High School.

Deborah has given her daughter some advice.

“She tells me to try my hardest and never look back if you’re in front and just go to the finish line,” Brookins said.

Maya Brookins has been a good listener.