Brookwood School has established a record of tennis dominance in recent history, largely behind the efforts of its two stars: Thomas Harrison and Rachel Cooper.
The boys are on a record run of victories and championships, and the girls aren’t far behind. While Harrison and the boys are looking to replicate their success, Cooper and the girls are looking to push through that final barrier and finish their season with one last win.
The key factors? Culture and leadership.
Embodying the desired tone of the program, Harrison and Cooper lead their respective teams in the No. 1 singles positions, but they also excel in the classroom and in their character.
Powered by faith, supported by their families, mentored by their coaches, and encouraged by their peers, their support systems have helped forge their talent into potential and their potential into reality.
THOMAS HARRISON
What began as an 8-year-old hitting a tennis ball against a concrete wall for countless hours culminated in a high school tennis legacy being cemented in dominance, championships, and longevity.
Thomas Harrison of the Brookwood boys tennis team not only captured the singles championship last year, but he only dropped a single set for the entirety of the season. To make sure that his message to the state rang clear, Harrison capped off his dominant run with a 6-0; 6-0 clinching performance for the state championship.
Despite the end result, the journey certainly wasn’t easy.
“Last year wasn’t a cakewalk though; being the top seed in both tournaments as a sophomore puts a lot of pressure on you,” Harrison said. “Having to maintain confidence in myself and my abilities was very important in my success last season.”
That’s right: Harrison was only a sophomore when he went on his undefeated tear through the GISA’s largest classification. But his youth was no longer a disadvantage, largely because he has been playing No. 1 singles since he was in the eighth grade. While this was once a source of immense pressure and intimidation, it enhanced what was already an extremely competitive nature that found its release in tennis.
“Since I was young, I have always wanted to be better than my peers and was super competitive, whether it was a board game, cards, running, or some other skill,” Harrison said. “From that I found that tennis is truly one of the greatest sports there is because it is a true one-on-one battle of strategy, skill, and athletic ability.”
Yet in the midst of his clear drive and success on the court, humility and mental fortitude are underlying themes. This becomes apparent because not only is Harrison leading the Warriors by example on the court, but his influence in the classroom and in the community is evident.
“My favorite part of being a Brookwood Warrior is being able to call myself a Brookwood student-athlete,” Harrison said confidently. “Brookwood is a fantastic, academically challenging school with competitive athletic teams and a reputation for producing successful, well-rounded students.”
His 4.19 GPA and back-to-back placements on the headmaster’s list are complimented by a long list of extracurricular activities such as being the Class President, on the Honor Council, and in the Upper School Student Government. Beyond Brookwood, Harrison is also active in his community, especially through his church’s youth group, which led him on multiple mission trips to places like New Orleans and Honduras.
Thomas Harrison still has the whole world before him, whether that be in academics, his professional career, or, of course, tennis. While his college plans are still uncertain, his current trajectory is vivid.
Harrison and the Warriors are still undefeated at the time of this writing, and it doesn’t seem likely that this fact will change; another championship is a real possibility as we approach the state tournament on April 25. After that, Harrison still has another year of competition at the high school and tournament level before his 2018 graduation date, and even then, his tennis career is far from over.
“I don’t ever plan for my tennis career to end,” Harrison said. “The beauty of tennis is that it’s a lifetime sport. Anyone can play tennis regardless of age, skill level, or athletic ability, so I plan to keep playing for as long as I can.”
Sidebar:
Boys Team Titles/Awards:
2013-14: Region Champs, State Runners-Up
2014-15: Region Champs, State Champs
2015-16: Region Champs, State Champs
Individual Titles/Awards:
2014: Region Champ, State Quarterfinalist, All-Region Player
2015: Region Champ, State Semifinalist, All-Region Player, All-State Player
2016: Region Champ, State Champion, All-Region Player, All-State Player, Warrior Award Recipient
Torn From the Title
The 2014 state championship was on the line for the Brookwood Warriors, and eighth-grader Thomas Harrison was facing off against eventual Division I tennis player Sachin Khurana. It was 10 at night after a grueling, full day of tennis. Battling through the exhaustion and cramps, Harrison finally fell. His final backhand careened into the net. Khurana turned to the stands and ripped his shirt off in celebration.
“What made that moment so memorable wasn’t that it was a crushing defeat, but rather that I literally gave it 100 percent, and that just wasn’t enough that day,” Harrison said. “I walked away from that match with my head held high because I never gave up on that match even when I was down game points and physically drained.”
RACHEL COOPER
The senior captain of Brookwood’s girls tennis team has a life marked by a well-defined hierarchy: faith, family, academics, and athletics, in that order.
Showing much maturity and composure in the midst of her final months as a Warrior, at the center of her pursuit for the championship, and more importantly in her life, is Cooper’s well-formed faith.
“Every tennis match I play, I play for the glory of God,” she said. “Knowing that it’s a talent that He has given me makes me want to always give my best and never give up.”
Cooper is a leader in The Walk youth group, an officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a senior Member of the Honor Council, extending her mission far beyond the tennis court.
Playing for a purpose beyond herself, Cooper is blessed with a deep and wide support structure to come alongside her development as an athlete and person. From her grandparents down to her brother, there is no shortage of love and encouragement.
“It is rewarding to do well, not just for my own sake but also for the sake of the people who helped me get there,” Cooper said. “I never would have achieved all that I have without the support of my family, friends, coaches, and teammates.”
Despite her impressive play, Cooper made it clear that she is not defined by her accomplishments, but by her character: compassionate, loving, and unashamedly herself.
“I’m not afraid to be myself; I’m small and ginger and pretty feisty,” Cooper said with a smile on her face. “I’m really stubborn, and I stand for what I believe in. I love wholeheartedly and try to see the best in people. I can inspire others by showing them that there’s never a good reason to give up and encourage them to be positive, to look for the good things in life and in the people around them.”
With such a positive outlook, it is easy to see how she rose to her leadership position on and around the court. Serving as the “team mom” that keeps both the boys and girls teams organized, Cooper adds to the team her influence beyond her natural talents on the court. Similarly, she has to work to achieve at the same level in the classroom.
“I’ve always done pretty well in school and generally enjoy it,” Cooper said. “However, I’m not as naturally gifted academically as some of my classmates. I think and work slowly, so I feel like I have to work twice as hard to get good grades. Having to put in the extra work and persevere has made me stronger and taught me the value of determination.”
With so many areas of influence, the senior captain handles the pressure of her position well. However, that does not make her impervious to the effects of that pressure.
“I get really nervous before matches, but I usually pray that God gives me peace, and I just try to remember that I’ve worked hard to compete at this level, and my friends and family will love me no matter the result of a match,” Cooper said.
Battling in No. 1 singles, Cooper fell just short of her goal in 2016 as she lost in the 2016 state finals, but her goal remains intact as she approaches the end of her high school career. Last year’s runner-up finish as an individual and as a team was an achievement on its on and will serve as a building block for future development.
“It’s amazing to meet your goals and be successful at something you’ve worked so hard for,” Cooper said. “As a team, we never expected to win the region title or take second in state, so to achieve that after all of our hard work was really amazing. It encouraged me to keep playing and working hard.”
After her senior campaign and graduation in May, Cooper will be attending the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and will be a member of their women’s tennis team. In the classroom, she will likely major in English in hopes of pursuing a career in sports journalism.
There is no doubt that Cooper has left her mark on Brookwood School, and she hopes that her impact stretches far beyond the tennis court.
“I hope to leave the legacy of being a student-athlete who is not just remembered for my athletic or academic achievements but for being a person who genuinely cared about each person I met,” Cooper said.
Sidebars:
Team Titles/Awards
All-Region Team Runner-up: 2013, 2014, 2015
All-Region Team First Place: 2015
All-State Team Runner-up: 2015
Individual Titles/Awards
Team Captain: 2016, 2017
All-Region Individual First Place: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
All-State Individual Runner-up: 2013, 2016
All-State Individual Third Place: 2014
Team MVP 2016
Class of 2017 Thomasville/Thomas County Female Athlete of the Year
Rivalry Rematch
Region finals. A familiar opponent. Surrounded by the screaming and cheering of the entire region. The match pushed into a tiebreak.
“I have never felt so much a part of something bigger,” Cooper said, remembering the moment fondly . “I ended up winning the tiebreak and the winning region title. I’ll never forget the overflowing gratitude I felt towards all the people who had been pulling for me and holding me up during that match.”
In the Game Magazine / South Georgia / April – May 2017
Thomas Harrison and Rachel Cooper
Brookwood School
Thomasville, GA
Written by Cole Parker
Photos by Micki K Photography
