Today we salute Akeem Cooper of Imhotep Charter.
Cooper capped off his senior season in a big way this spring, winning the AAA triple jump state title. He was a two-time indoor state qualifier and three-time outdoor state qualifier in the triple jump. He also qualified for indoor states in the long jump this past winter.
Cooper saved his best career jump for last, leaping 48-04.5 to claim the state title at Shippensburg this spring. Before that, he won the Philadelphia Public League and PIAA District 12 AAA title in the event. During the indoor season, Cooper won at the TFCAofGP Meet of Champions, then leapt his indoor best of 48-01.25 to win place third in a close competition at the indoor state meet.
Cooper answered some questions for PennTrackXC, reflecting on his career.
Throughout the end of June and through July we we be honoring our graduating seniors. To submit your own questionnaire to be posted on the front page of PennTrackXC, check out this page and email your responses to Dan Beck (daniel.beck@flosports.tv).
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What was your most memorable race/competition?
My most memorable competition was at States
Where did you face your biggest competition?
My biggest competition was at states this year
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Out of my whole high school career, winning states this year was my biggest accomplishment. Because I working for this moment since freshman year
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
If I had to do it all over again, I would change my high school choice and went to Cheltenham. Because it had the facilities to make me better
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacles I had to overcome was getting better though the years
What will you miss the most?
I will miss competing at the high school. I will also miss hanging out/meet new athletes every year.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
All I can say for the new upcoming athletes is that's anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. Stay healthy and live in the moment.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
I feel like my coaches had a major impact on my high school career. Because they stayed with me through tough times. Some of my coaches left and when to different schools, some retired, but even though they did that they never stop helping me and supporting me until I graduated.
What are your post-high school plans?
I just graduated high school and will be attending Youngstown State on full ride scholarship and I'll be majoring in Mechanical Engineering. And have a minor of mathematics
Any shoutouts?
I'll have to shoutout Coach Jerome Lowery, Coach Michelle, Coach James, Coach Justin, My parents, My brother and sisters, Girlfriend, and last but not least District 12
