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Indeed, it just keeps getting better for Cooper. Cooper, the reigning IHSA state champion in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle, placed fourth among swimmers ages 18 and under in the 100 meters and took third among swimmers in her age group in the 50 meters at the Phillips 66 U.S. Swimming National Championships in Palo Alto, Calif. earlier this month. It qualified Cooper to compete for the United States 4x100 relay team at the Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary Aug. 20-25. "It was a goal of mine the whole season," Cooper said. "Obviously it's hard to control what other people do. I set my goals for time that would qualify for it. It was always in the back of my head, wanting to be able to travel with the team. It sounds like such a fun experience. It was a big accomplishment for me." Cooper is one of 26 girls, along with 26 boys, who will represent the U.S. at the Junior World Championships, considered the highest level of competition among swimmers under age 18. Cooper swam a lifetime-best 55.52 seconds in the 100 at nationals, eclipsing the 55.76 she swam at Speedo Sectionals the week before. It was good for 21st among all swimmers. In the 50 she was clocked in 25.33, seventh among all swimmers. "I was happy – it's felt like such a long season," Cooper said. "To be able to do what I did, stay focused and have my eyes on the prize, it was something I'm proud of myself for."
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It caps off a spectacular year for Cooper. After winning two state championships in November, Cooper qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials in the 50 and 100 at the USA Swimming Winter National Championships in Greensboro, N.C. in December. In March she committed to swim collegiately at Texas. "So far this year I've accomplished a lot of my goals," Cooper said. "Making Olympic Trials was a big deal to me. There's been a lot going on this year. It's like 'OK, what is next.'" Besides the accomplishments, Cooper has made many changes and sacrifices to advance her career. She tries to get eight hours of sleep every night. She's made a point to eliminate drinking soda, and avoids eating any greasy foods. Cooper intensified her training, doing doubles four days a week. "My attitude toward the sport and training has shifted; I'm really happy and proud of myself for that, I'm even more serious about it," Cooper said. "Things behind the scenes like eating healthier and getting the right amount of sleep, the small things make a difference. I try to do things that provide sustainable growth."
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This will be the second time in as many years Cooper has traveled abroad to represent the U.S.; she competed in the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet in Vancouver last summer. This will, though, be Cooper's first time in Europe. She flies out to Washington D.C. on Aug. 14 to train with the team, then leaves for Budapest Aug. 16. The competition will be held at the newly-built Danube Arena, the largest indoor swimming pool arena in Europe. "In the past years the USA has always come out on top; we're projected to do really well, I think," Cooper said. "We're hoping for gold." Cooper aspires to reach the Olympics at some point, but admitted the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris might be a more realistic goal than the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. "I try to focus on what is in front of me at the moment, try not to get too far ahead of myself," Cooper said. "I'm definitely more focused on 2024. It would be oh my goodness amazing to make it in 2020, but with Texas and everything and more advanced training [2024] would be a better bet. I'm just focused on the moment, focused on Budapest and my training for it." (Mary Beth)