Display of dominance
McDonogh’s Elise Cooper repeats as Athlete of the Year
Here are The Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro girls indoor track and field teams for the 2023-24 season.
There will be a day when another sprinter captures an Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship, but that day might have to wait until Cooper’s time at McDonogh is over.
For the second straight indoor season, Cooper completed the sprint triple crown, winning the 55-meter dash (6.92), the 300 (38.94) and the 500 (1:18.79). In her two-plus years at McDonogh, she’s won 12 individual IAAM A Conference titles, never losing a championship race.
“Elise is a remarkably talented yet humble student-athlete,” McDonogh coach Phil Turner said. “She radiates joy when she works out and practices with her teammates and then relishes the opportunity to compete and show what she is capable of. I am routinely amazed when I watch her practice and race and I also just love seeing her interact and have fun with her teammates and friends.
“I truly believe the sky is the limit for Elise both on and off the track.”
Despite all the accolades she’s already received, Cooper has kept her drive thanks to those around her.
“My support system,” she said. “My teammates and my family. They keep the sport exciting for me. I’m just happy to be around them and have their support. It helps me keep going.”
A big part of that is her sisters — older sister, Ella, and twin sister, Elena, who also run track — transferring to McDonogh over the past two years.
“I have a lot of fun with them,” Elise Cooper said. “During the big meets I get nervous for, they help calm my nerves and it’s just nice to have them there.”
Now a junior, Cooper is taking on more of a leadership role and takes the time to help out the younger runners in the program.
“I definitely try to guide them,” she said. “During meets they get nervous or confused, I just try to pass down what I know and what I’ve learned. … I try to use my experience to help them.”