Brooke Andrus, a second generation Griz and leader on the Montana cross country and track teams, spends her time away from the course running down images as a sports photojournalist.
Her father, Bart Andrus, punted and played quarterback for Montana from 1978-1981, and her brother, Travis Andrus, is currently a redshirt freshman receiver on the Montana football team.
Though Andrus had ties to UM, she said she was never pressured into becoming a Grizzly.
“I told her to go where she felt the most comfortable,” Bart said. “I wanted it to be her decision and I stayed out of it.”
After being recruited by the University of Texas, Texas Christian University, and the University of Utah, Andrus felt Montana was the right fit.
“I would have felt lost at the University of Texas,” Andrus said. “It would have been too much of an adjustment.”
Andrus, a 2006 graduate of Bigfork High School, had also been drawn to Montana’s journalism program. As a photojournalism major, Andrus spent last summer interning for the Toronto Argonauts, a Canadian Football League team coached by her father.
“It was a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun,” Andrus said. “I was thrown into the pressure of deadlines.”
For six weeks in June and July, Andrus shot every practice and game for the Argonauts. The Toronto Star and Toronto Sun newspapers published her photos.
“I came in at the busiest time for the team,” Andrus said. “I had no idea the amount of work that was needed, but I took it upon myself to put forth the effort.”
Along with getting photographs published in local newspapers, Andrus created a blog for the Argonaut web site that was picked up by the CFL. Her photographs also appeared in the Argonaut media guide.
“It was weird being on the other side of the media,” Andrus said. “But it was a perfect fit. Eventually after college I want to get into something with sports.”
“My dad always said working in sports doesn’t feel like work.” Andrus added.
As the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, Bart enjoyed spending time with his daughter during the summer internship.
“It was a good time for me, in and away from work,” Bart said. “Once she left it felt empty not having her around.”
Choosing to spend the summer taking photographs for the Argonauts came from an experience Andrus had last winter, when Andrus had the opportunity to shadow a photographer for the Tennessee Titans.
“It was quite a deal for her,” said Bart, who was an assistant coach for the Titans at the time. “It was her first time on the field during a game.”
The Titans photographer had three cameras and gave Andrus one. With it, she captured an image of running back Chris Johnson scoring a touchdown for the Titans. The team put the photograph on their Web site.
“It was surreal getting to shoot some of that game,” Andrus said. “The experience made me all the more eager to pursue photojournalism.”
Photojournalism is Andrus’ dedication off the track, but running is her true passion.
“I feel lost when I’m not running,” Andrus said. “I feel like half a person.”
She says her running genes came from her mother, Karen, who ran track for Butte High and also attended The University of Montana as a student.
“But I got my will to win from my dad,” Andrus added.
Growing up in an athletic family taught Andrus the importance of hard work and competition.
“Coaches' kids learn early on that if you don’t win you move,” Bart said. “There is something to competing. It translates to other aspects of life beyond athletics.”
Being a member of the cross country and track teams means Andrus is competing year-round. The only time off all year is a two week stretch over winter break.
“I love competing, it makes running more fun,” Andrus said. “But I savor those two weeks off.”
Now a veteran on the cross country team, Andrus is excited for the current season.
“The team has been looking good,” Andrus said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do as a team for the rest of the season.”
UM cross country coach Courtney Babcock says Andrus’ leadership helps the team grow stronger.
“Brooke is team oriented and in our top group of runners,” Babcock said. “She is filled with untapped potential and can really make another big jump this season.”
Andrus and the rest of the cross country team will compete in the Montana Invitational this Saturday at the UM golf course. The women’s 5K starts at 10 a.m. and the men’s 8K starts at 10:30 a.m. It will be their first and only home meet of the season.
“Having the local fans cheering us on gives us extra motivation,” Andrus said.