Montrail Brooks

Bio

Coach Montrail “Monti” Brooks has had a notable career as both an athlete and a coach, with significant achievements spanning from his high school years to his current role.

Athletic Career

Brooks began his athletic journey at Warren High School, where he earned 10 All-State honors in track and three in cross country. All-Star team member in 2004 and Down Under Games participant. 2004 AAU state champion in 800 m. He was a state champion in the indoor 800m and state recorder (1A-3A) and outdoor 800m state runner-up. And 4x800m state champion.

He continued his success in college, first at Chaffey College in 2007, where he finished 2nd in the Foothill Athletic Conference 800-meter championship. The next year, he followed this with a 1st in the 800 m at the Foothill Athletic Conference, a 2nd place finish at the Southern Region California Community College Athletic Association, and a 7th place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships. In 2008, he was ranked among the top 50 community college 800-meter runners.

In 2009, Brooks transferred to Azusa Pacific University (APU), where he became a prominent runner, specializing in the 400- and 800-meter events. He earned 3x NAIA All-American honors and was a Top 10 performer for the university. From 2010 to 2011, he was ranked as one of the top 600-meter indoor runners in the U.S.

Coaching Career

Brooks began his coaching career while still an athlete. In 2007, he served as an assistant mid-distance coach at Chaffey College, guiding both men and women to an 800-meter championship (Foothill Athletic Conference). In 2008, he coached himself to a second-place finish at the Southern California Championships and a seventh-place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships.

From 2014 to 2017, Brooks was an assistant and strength and conditioning coach at Chaffey High School, where he made a significant impact. In 2016, he helped lead the boys’ cross-country team to its first-ever Mountain Baldy League title. During his tenure, he also served as the jumps coach and guided a long jumper to a top-10 finish at the CIF State Championships in California.

In 2022, Brooks returned to coaching as the head cross-country and track-and-field coach at Highland Park Middle School. He built the program from the ground up, leading the team to a successful season where over 90% of the athletes achieved personal bests and continued on their success in the local high schools.

In 2025, Brooks is taking on a new challenge as the head coach for the women's cross-country and distance track program at Chemeketa Community College. Leading a young and eager team hoping to shake up the NWAC and the local running scene in Oregon. 

Other Pursuits

In addition to his coaching and athletic achievements, Brooks spends time with his family (wife and 2 kids) and is an avid runner, racing track, cross country, and trail for the Portland running company. Coach Brooks is currently working on a PhD in kinesiology, with a specialization in sports performance enhancement and corrective exercise. He has developed his own coaching philosophy, which he calls the "Brooks Model," emphasizing the principle of "Work Smart, Not Hard” and encouraging athletes to "face your fears and run faster."