By Bree Dunckhorst Posted December 20, 2019
In this edition, we will be commemorating Kelcey Cooper as the Student-Athlete of the Issue.
Cooper has been playing soccer and softball ever since she was four years old, and she still, with perseverance and dedication, has continued to play these two sports through high school. Cooper has been very grateful to have her supportive family, especially her mom and her older sister.
“They’re really supportive, they go to every game; they cheer for me,” said Cooper.
Cooper’s older sister, Caitlynn Dennis, was a student at Lowry. Cooper’s sister was involved in sports at Lowry. She played soccer, basketball, and softball. Cooper stated she always watched Dennis when they were younger.
Both of Cooper’s parents were involved in sports while in high school, too.
“My mom played soccer and softball, and my dad played football,” said Cooper.
Cooper has not only played softball and soccer, but she has also previously played basketball and volleyball.
“I played basketball freshman and sophomore year, and I played volleyball my junior year,” said Cooper.
Kelcey has many reasons as to why she enjoys playing soccer, but she especially likes how intense and exhilarating the sport is.
Cooper stated, “I like making goals, and it’s really fast and fun. I like being active, and I also like being able to play with my friends.”
Kelcey also had many reasons as to why softball is her favorite sport, but mainly because it’s more of a mild sport and is a nice break from the intensity of soccer.
“I like softball because it’s a lot calmer and less conditioning,” said Cooper. “I like hitting. It’s exciting, and it’s fun to hit home runs. I like winning, and you need to hit to win.”
Kelcey’s position in soccer is forward, and this has been her position for as long as she can remember. In softball, Cooper’s position is second base. She has been a second baseman ever since she started playing softball.
Cooper has been lucky enough not only to have her mom as a huge motivation and supportive light in her life, but she was also her coach for soccer.
Cooper said, “My favorite coach for soccer is my mom because she was my coach in JV year, so that was fun.”
Kelcey’s choice of who her favorite coach was for softball was a more complex decision because of her love for the sport.
“My favorite coach for softball, I’d say, would probably be Lucas because he’s energetic and weird,” said Cooper.
Cooper has loved going to Lowry because of all of the friends she has here and how she loves the people at Lowry in general. She also has two favorite classes in particular that she has taken at Lowry.
“I like yearbook with Mrs. [Lisa] Scott and Sports Med [Sports Medicine] with Lucas,” said Cooper. “Yearbook is fun because we get to make the yearbook and control that, and Sports Med [Sports Medicine], we get to go to and be at all the home games for Lowry.”
Cooper’s favorite memory growing up playing sports is not necessarily what the memory is about it is more about who she created all of her favorite memories with.
“My favorite memories growing up playing sports were being able to play with Sierra Maestrejuan and play all sports with her,” said Cooper. “This is my favorite memory because we play now together and it’s fun to see how much we’ve both grown together.”
