Kendall County MVA Female Athlete of the Week: Grace Cooper, Oswego co-op, swimming, senior

WHY SHE WAS SELECTED:

Cooper defended her state title in the 50 and 100 freestyle, was part of the second-place 400 freestyle relay and third-place 200 relay to lead the Oswego co-op swim team to third place in the state.

Cooper talked to sports editor Joshua Welge about the start to his season and more. Here is an edited version of the transcript:

Welge: First off, how big was it to get that team trophy?

Cooper: It was our goal. We made goal sheets at the beginning of the year, and one of the goals was to get a trophy at state. We wrote it down and hung it up, and every day at practice we looked at those goals. To be able to finish my high school career and get that trophy again, it’s a relief. I didn’t swim as well as I wanted to timewise, but to get third for the team is special.

Welge: It has to be extra sweet after the great swimmers that graduated the last couple of years, right?

Cooper: My sophomore year, when we got second at state was a huge accomplishment; best in school history, that was huge. Last year, we got eighth and I think we all wanted to show that we could do it again. There was a sense of wanting to carry on what Mari [Kraus] and Georgia [White] brought to Oswego swim and dive.

Welge: What are your thoughts on the meet for you, individually?

Cooper: Looking at it now, my relay splits were much faster than my individual times. I usually do better in relays, I get amped up and the adrenaline kicks in. Looking back, I kind of wish I would have done that with individual races, as well. But I was happy for the team. It was the last time wearing that Oswego cap, and a special moment.

Welge: How do you put even the last few months in perspective? Placing Top 4 in the 50 and 100 for your age group at the U.S. Swimming National Championships, competing for the U.S. relay team at the Junior World Championships in Budapest, now this.

Cooper: I’m very proud of what I’ve done so far. I’m the type of person that I’m never satisfied. I’m always looking forward to what’s next. But looking back, I’ve accomplished so many goals. I had to put a lot of hard work into it, but at the end of the day, being a member of Junior Nationals, finishing third at state, committing to Texas, it’s worth it.

Welge: What are your thoughts on 2020?

Cooper: It’s going to be a lot of training. Olympic Trials in 2020, I’m looking forward to that. I can’t predict what will happen. I will be prepared for it and I’m excited. And then there’s college. I’m very excited to leave for college, but at the same time, I want to enjoy my senior year of high school.