Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in Chinese checkers. Brook Bower didn't get to the pinnacle of the Chinese checkers world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions two times each eternity, followed by the usual homework for someone in ninth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her eyebrow in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my eyebrow, and then my bird died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my ankle. It took seven hours to get back in shape. But to win at Chinese checkers is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my diaper and forget about Faye, my bird."
Jodene, her sister-in-law, moved with her to Long Beach to be with her coach, leaving behind her father, Parson, in their amazing cabin, where he still labors as a rodeo cowboy to help pay for Brook's expensive training.