16 I SCHOOLS I February <strong>21</strong>, 20<strong>24</strong> MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE Local band teacher makes strides toward Olympic goal By BETHANY COAD Side by side in Jerod Broadbrooks’ life are two very different but encompassing passions: music and running. Broadbrooks, in his second year as band director at Francis Howell’s Barnwell <strong>Mid</strong>dle, recently competed against some of the best runners in the nation by participating in the Olympic trials held in Orlando on Feb. 3. Broadbrooks has been running since his freshman days at Eureka High where he made all-conference both his junior and senior years in cross country. He also was part of an 800-meter relay team that was named All-State and placed fifth in the state in 2014. After high school, he continued running at Lindenwood University while pursuing his music education degree. While there, he helped win the <strong>Mid</strong>-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship in 2017 and came in eighth in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 2 National Championships in the Mile Run in 2019. Broadbrooks started playing guitar in middle school. By the end of high school, he knew he wanted to become a music teacher. “Music and running are similar in that both require a lot of hours of dedication and focus,” Broadbrooks said. “There are no shortcuts. If you put in the time, you will see results in both disciplines.” And put in the time he does. Training twice a day on a typical day and running seven days a week. During peak training, Broadbrooks runs between 100 and 300 miles in a typical week. “I am usually up at 5 a.m. most mornings in order to train before I go to work. It can be tricky to fit it all in, but my wife is very supportive and picks up my slack at home when I am out training,” he said. The decision to compete in the trials came with challenges. “I had accomplished many of the goals I had with running, but I knew that I still needed to run a marathon. Given my background with running, I knew I had to set some sort of time goal to help motivate me,” Broadbrooks said. “I decided I’d try to run the Olympic Trials Qualifying time of 2:18:00 for my first marathon.” After training for eight months, Broadbrooks reached his goal by completing the California International Marathon in Sacramento with a time of 2:14:59 in December 2023. Qualification accomplished, he headed to the trials with excitement. “It was a very surreal experience because I was in a race with guys that I have looked up to and followed since I was in high school,” Broadbrooks said. Coming in 26th out of 200, Broadbrooks said he is determined to compete in the race again, reach the top three in 2028 and make the Olympic Team. In true middle school fashion, Broadbrooks’ students knew of their band director’s passion for running but initially didn’t really care. However, once the news of the trials leaked out, the entire school got behind him. “It is cool to see how excited they get about it! It definitely is something I want to use to inspire my kids. Many kids get labeled as a ‘band kid’ or an ‘athlete’, et cetera,” he said. “You can be both! “There are no rules when it comes to what you are passionate about. Everyone is complicated and has many things they are passionate about and should pursue all of their passions to the best of their abilities.” Broadbrooks said the school’s support meant a lot to him. “The day I left for the trials, they had a send-off for me,” he said. “The whole school lined up in the hallways, and I did a ‘victory @MIDRIVERS_NEWS MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM Jared Broadbrooks gets a supportive sendoff at Barnwell <strong>Mid</strong>dle before the Olympic trials. (Source: Francis Howell School District) lap’ around the school with all the kids and staff cheering.” Outside of school, his supporters include his wife, Megan, and friends and family, including his dad, Dennis, who has been at every one of his races since high school. Broadbrooks said his faith also keeps him motivated and he often prays for the strength to keep persevering. “I would tell anyone who does any sport or activity that you can achieve your goals if you work at them for long enough,” Broadbrooks said. “There is no substitute for hard work, and you would be surprised at what you can accomplish with enough dedication.” Schedule Your Free Consultation Today *Mention Seeing us in <strong>Mid</strong> <strong>Rivers</strong> <strong>Newsmagazine</strong> for $1,000 off Treatment Dr. Larkin Dr. Roland Dr. Otto Dr. Karkow
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