Brooke Wilson, a Wake Forest-bound senior at Valor Christian High in Colorado and the returning 5A cross country state runner-up and 12th-place finisher at the Garmin RunningLane Championships in Alabama, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss returning from injury during her spring track season and the transition for the Eagles with Dr. Jeff Cook taking over leadership of the program as the coaching replacement for Greg Coplen. Wilson examines the security she had in giving her verbal commitment to Wake Forest during her junior year and how supportive the coaching staff remained despite her being sidelined for the second half of the track schedule. She also analyzes the strength of the school's recent recruiting classes and her excitement for competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference and how Wilson feels she has benefited from racing in Colorado as preparation for the next chapter in her career. Wilson explains the challenges of her rehabilitation and recovery, especially training at elevation, and how she feels that she regained fitness in recent weeks in anticipation of competing Sept. 10 at the Liberty Bell Invitational at Heritage High. She speaks about the benefits of having sophomore standout Keeghan Edwards as a teammate and how instrumental it has been for Wilson to train with her during the summer. Wilson also talks about the veteran presence of the Valor Christian lineup and the leadership opportunities for her and fellow senior Taylor Rorick. She assesses the depth of elite teams and athletes this season in Colorado 5A, especially with the arrival of Air Academy and junior star Bethany Michalak, and looks forward to the opportunity to race against defending champion Arapahoe, as well as Cherry Creek and Mountain Vista. Wilson expresses gratitude for the team bonding opportunities she has had during her career, especially last year in Alabama, and looks forward to a return Sept. 30 to the Desert Twilight Festival in Arizona, along with competing Nov. 19 at NXR Southwest and the opportunity for Valor Christian to challenge for another berth to race Dec. 3 at Nike Cross Nationals after helping Valor Christian place eighth overall in 2019 during her freshman season.