Sophomore Cooper Continues To Sizzle
While Anthony Schwartz was the fastest boys 100m runner of the season, the title of fastest 200/400m sprinter belongs to Norland's Tyrese Cooper. All Cooper did in 2016 was smash numerous freshman national records. He continued that torrid pace as a sophomore as well at the beginning of 2017 breaking the 300m indoor national record and running a US#2 all-time 500m.
Cooper defended his title indoors with wins in the 200 and 400 and carried that success onto the outdoor track as well. In the 400m, "Smoke" put the competition in his dust going undefeated throughout the season including sub 46s performances to win his second straight state championship and national championship in the event. He raced the best American quarter-milers at the USA Championships and advanced to the semifinals after running a near personal best of 45.45 to advance.
He nearly equaled those feats in the 200m with another state title and New Balance National championship. However, he opted to race at USA Juniors in this event and it paid dividends with a title and a chance to represent Team USA at Pan Am Juniors, which would be his first international competition.
Next up for Cooper will be AAU Nationals before preparing to head to Peru. It's a meet that has produced numerous gold medals and records for him and his MGX teammates. Not only is he racing to win these next couple weeks, but he's also racing the clock.
"My goals for my next track meet are to go for Usain Bolt's records and to join the 44 club," he added.
One the mantras for the Miami Gardens Xpress Club is "Training To Be Great" and Cooper is on his way to becoming one of the greatest sprinters the state has seen and in the speed capital of America that is saying something.
"What makes me a great athlete is that I have no limits at all," Cooper said. I never limit myself because I have no idea what I'm going to step out on the track and do."