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02/25/2023 06:20 AMAfter a resounding rookie campaign for the Hand gymnastics team, Brooke Anderson had a tall order in front of her to top her efforts. Yet she has gone above and beyond to dispatch any concerns of a sophomore slump.
Brooke had a breakout season her freshman year, contributing to Hand’s team score in all four events and helping lead the Tigers to a perfect dual-meet season and both SCC and Class M state titles. For her individual efforts, she was also an SCC vault champion and runner-up in the all-around as an All-SCC, New Haven Register All-Area, All-State, and All-American Team athlete.
This winter, Brooke has notched scores in the 9s for the vault, along with 9+ scores on floor and bar events, as Hand captured its second-straight SCC title and 23rd overall. Brooke was also named Most Outstanding Performer of the meet on Feb. 5 at Law after capturing first in three events of vault, bars, and floor, plus the all-around title.
“My success definitely comes from the team aspect of the sport,” says Brooke, who scored over nine points at SCCs on the vault, beam, and floor exercises. “One of our captains, [junior] Dylan Friedman, helps get our energy up with each meet and helps us with dancing any stress out. All of that has helped me score better. This year, I have been trying out putting more skills in for each meet, such as double backs. It comes from the confidence the team has built up in me, and it has helped increase my start values.”
Humble after her massive SCC solo feats, Anderson is quick to credit an influential bunch of coaches and peers around her.
“The title of Most Outstanding Performer is cool to have. However, I don’t think I deserve all the credit,” says Anderson. “It should be given to my amazing teammates and coaches from Hand, and my club gym, Dunne’s, because they are the ones who gave me the confidence and calm mindset to compete to my highest potential.”
Vault has certainly been a big part in Brooke catapulting herself to early success, though it is the floor where she truly gets to showcase her flair and personality and then the beam where she sees the true benefit of teamwork.
“Vault is one my strong suits; I can count on a solid score,” Brooke says. “I am starting to grow on floor and grow my numbers there. I enjoy the floor because everyone’s energy is up, and they are dancing. Beam is such a mental event, because once you fall, it can be tough to get back on. But the team is always there for me, and I am able to change my energy from negative to positive because of them.”
The war waged on the mind in the heat of competition can also wear on a competitor like Brooke. Still, she maintains that it is best to have a one-track mind and short memory, no matter how big or small the error.
“With all the different events in gymnastics, it can be hard to leave your anger at one event where the mistake is made and move on if it does not go your way,” says Brooke. “It is important that if something bad happens, you must move on with a new head space.”
Brooke not only sets an incredible example for others via her unwavering dedication to her craft, but she is also a light-hearted and well-adored teammate, per Hand gymnastics Head Coach Kelly Smith.
“Brooke is incredibly powerful in her gymnastics, stemming from a combination of her physical strength and technique, plus her upgrades really highlight that power,” says Smith. “In addition to her skill level and hard work, she is very competitive; she is motivated and driven to do her best every day and especially on the competition floor. She doesn’t just lead us with her scores. It’s her work ethic, and that work ethic is coupled with long-running jokes with teammates she’s known from childhood, big smiles, and a happy attitude in the gym each day. She’s a great balance of a focused, driven kid who also knows how to be personable and enjoy her time in the gym with her coaches and teammates.”
After such a strong start to her high school tenure with the Tigers, Brooke notes she has been motivated to keep striving for greater heights, namely out of the pride she has for her team and competing for one of the more illustrious gymnastics programs in Connecticut.
“Gymnastics is my only high school sport, and to have a successful freshman year was an adrenaline rush to me. I just want to make my whole team proud and show what I can offer for the rest of my career,” Brooke says. “I am honored to be part of this program and help keep the legacy running. I always want to make Coach Smith proud and support this team’s legacy.”
As she embarks on that mission by aiming to add yet another state title banner to the Hand gymnasium, Brooke boasts it is all about staying in the moment and avoiding resting on any previous laurels.
“Last season was such an amazing year for us,” Brooke says. “But we want to build upon that, so the pressure is on. We are the top team in the state rankings with our scores, so we have to stay focused on our goals and hitting our numbers. We cannot rely on our past success.”