August 15, 2009

Stuart Kantor
Special to Rivals High

The jump - sixth-best by a high school girl in history - secured the nation's No. 1 spot for the rising junior from James Logan High School in Union City, Calif. It also secured her trip to the 6th IAAF World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy, where Brewer leaped 42-6.75 to finish seventh.

"Italy was a great experience," Brewer said. "It was my first time out of the country. The competition was a whole [other] level."

Brewer's sophomore season ended in much the same manner as it started - record breaking. On March 14, she set the national indoor sophomore record of 42-0.50 while claiming Nike Indoor National top honors. On July 31, she broke Deanna Simmons' 1983 intermediate girls national outdoor record of 41-1.50 by leaping 42-5.50 at the USATF Junior Olympics in Greensboro, N.C.

Her remarkable success is, in large part, family tradition. Her father was a 52-9 triple jumper and 24-0 long jumper at Cal State Hayward, and her mother captured a Colorado high school state high jump title in 1974. Her brothers competed as high school jumpers; Arnaux, 18, competes collegiately at the San Francisco Academy of Arts.

Brewer's track and field career began at age 5 with the Catholic Youth Organization and USA Track. By the time she was 8, she held the age-appropriate long jump world record. She'd repeat the feat at ages 10 and 11.

"In middle school I played with the triple jump," she said. "I got better and progressed better than in the long jump."

Blessed with natural leaping ability, tremendous flexibility and outstanding speed, Brewer learned early that her natural talent wouldn't convert to record performances without a dedicated work ethic.

"I didn't give you your ability," her father said, the first line of a maxim she knows by heart. "Mom didn't give you your ability. You have to perform the best you can."

Perform she has.

The East Bay Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year earned USA Today All-USA Track & Field honors after capturing a California state title with a leap of 42-11.50 and then claiming the nation's top spot at 43-4.25.

"Of my sophomore season, I'd have to say I'm most proud of winning state," Brewer said. "It took a while to hit. All my work came out at a big meet. I was afraid because a few weeks before I strained my hamstring."

With a penchant for nail design, clothes and shoes, the 5-foot-5? Brewer, graced with an infectious laugh, explained how she'd reach her junior season's goals of a Nike Indoor National title, another state title and making the World Junior Championship team.

"I need to improve my strength and, according to my dad [her coach], my speed," she said. "I need to hold my phases and not rush them. I also need to stay erect and not dive on the landing."

After a little fine-tuning, Brewer's triple-jump technique, reminiscent of former U.S. triple jump sensation Sheila Hudson (1989-96), will achieve near flawlessness. It's not inconceivable that she will possess both the indoor and outdoor records upon graduation - 43-11.50 (Juliana Yendork) and 44-11.75 (Brittany Daniels), respectively, in addition to the litany of individual titles and meet standards.

"My ultimate goal is the Olympics in 2012," Brewer said. "It's been my goal ever since I can remember. It's the biggest meet there is."

To place her 2009 nation-leading leap in perspective, 43-4.25 would've placed 10th at the 2008 Olympic Trials, yet her "potential of 47 as a senior" would earn her a trip to London.

In an effort to realize this dream, first materialized when watching Marion Jones, Brewer has dropped volleyball from her fall schedule in exchange for strength training and conditioning. Added strength and conditioning will complement her already deep passion for competition.

"She hates to lose," said her father, Arno. "At 9 years old, she was competing in the USATF Junior Olympics. We went into a McDonald's and she hit her toe against the door. Her toe was split and bleeding. I asked her if she wanted to go on. 'I came here to win,' she said. Her first jump came up big and no one came close."

Distancing herself from the competition has become a way of life for the high school standout.

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