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Cooper: Athletes of the Year named

By: The John Cooper School
| Published 06/07/2012

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Three varsity athletes were recently named Athletes of the Year, and two were honored with The John Cooper School Athletic Leadership Award at the annual All Sports Banquet, at the school’s Student Center and Performing Arts Center.

More than 200 athletes, family members, coaches, and faculty gathered to honor the school’s 2011-12 student athletes.

“I know I can speak for all the coaches in saying, ‘you are all exceptional student-athletes, and we would like to thank you for representing The John Cooper School with class and pride,’” said Cooper Assistant Athletic Director Scott Holland as he thanked athletes, parents and coaches for their support throughout the year and recognized the year’s individual and team accomplishments.

Senior Oliver Quintero was the Male Athlete of the Year and senior Meaghan Wisenbaker joined junior Kendra Cooper as Female Athletes of the Year.

Emily Schwartz and Clark Connett were each presented with The John Cooper School Athletic Leadership Award.

Quintero earned Male Athlete of the Year honors for his efforts in both soccer and track. Quintero played varsity soccer all four years at Cooper where he was team captain his senior year. As one of the season’s top scorers with the most minutes played throughout the season, he earned All-South Zone, All-SPC, and Most Valuable Offensive player honors.

Quintero is also the recipient of the Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete award for soccer.

In his first year on the track team, Quintero competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters and mile relay team.

A Cooper Pioneer, meaning he has attended the independent, college preparatory school since kindergarten, Quintero was also inducted into The John Cooper School Chapter of The Cum Laude Society, which recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice and honor.

Quintero is also a member of the executive board of the Interact Club, a service organization sponsored by The Woodlands Rotary Club and a member of the steering committee for Cooper’s Habitat for Humanity Program. Quintero also founded Cooper’s chapter of Future Problem Solving Program International (FPAPI). Quintero plans to study chemistry and environmental science at Princeton University in the fall.

“Oliver is a true leader. His work ethic, on and off the field, is second to none. He is an excellent student and player and is a role model for all to follow,” said Oscar Cruz, Cooper head varsity soccer coach.

Wisenbaker is a member of the SPC Championship swimming and diving team. A three-year veteran of Cooper’s championship varsity swim team, Wisenbaker broke a total of seven school swimming records. In total, Wisenbaker won 11 gold medals during the season–in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly at the Cardinal Classic, in the 50 free at the St. John’s Invitational, and in the 100 butterfly at the Cooper Invitational.

As a relay team member, she helped bring home gold in the 400 free relay at the Cooper Invitational, Cardinal Classic, St. John’s Invitational and Houston Private School City Championships. In the 200 medley relay, she helped the team to gold at the Cooper Invitational, Cardinal Classic and St. John’s Invitational.

At the SPC Championships, Wisenbaker led the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay team to SPC Championships, school and SPC Meet records. She also won the 100 butterfly and set a school and SPC meet record and broke a school record in the 100 breaststroke.

Wisenbaker swims for The Woodlands Swim Team and has been an active member of the National Charity League and Cooper’s Habitat for Humanity Program. This summer she hopes to qualify in the 100 butterfly for NCAA competition next year. Wisenbaker will continue her career swimming for Rice University in the fall.

Cooper was unable to attend the award ceremony but she earned co-Female Athlete of the Year honors for her talents on the basketball court and most recently, on the softball field. As a combo guard on the basketball team, Cooper was named All-Tournament at the Montgomery, Pope John 23rd and Galveston O’Connell tournaments. Her efforts earned her team MVP, All South Zone and All SPC honors.

Cooper’s stats on the basketball court have also attracted national attention. She leads the nation in three-point shooting, with just over six three-point shots per game, according to the website, MaxPreps.com. Her average of 34 points per game, ranks her seventh in the nation.

As a softball player, she earned All-South Zone and All-SPC honors and was named Most Valuable Defensive player. Cooper earned these honors while pitching for the first time in her career. Cooper will play for the elite youth basketball program, Houston Hoops, this summer.

“Kendra has an understanding of the game that is beyond the high school level. She demands the focus of every opponent we play,” said Rod Gold, Cooper head coach of girls’ varsity basketball.

The John Cooper School Leadership Award is sponsored by the Cooper Booster Club and selected by the athletic department, recogniziong the senior boy and/or girl who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, competitive spirit and dedication as a varsity athlete at The John Cooper School.

Schwartz is a two-sport varsity athlete, and captain of both the soccer and tennis teams. In soccer, Schwartz, who earned All-South Zone recognition, led her team to a fourth-place finish in SPC Division I, the best in Cooper history.

She is a high honor roll student who served as the secretary of Interact, meticulously tracking each member’s service hours and is vice president of the Drama Club. She was a regular on stage in Cooper’s musical and dance productions, yet found time to accomplish one of her dreams this year—earning her private pilot’s license.

Her coaches describe her as positive and respected leader. In the fall, Schwartz heads to Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

“Emily Schwartz is one of a kind. She was our team captain this year and led our team by example in every practice and game by always giving 100% and demonstrating excellent sportsmanship,” said Amber Clevenger, Cooper head coach of girls’ varsity soccer.

Connett is the male recipient of the Leadership Award. A two-sport varsity athlete, Connett was captain of both the basketball and baseball teams. He earned the Dragon Award for determination in basketball and the MVP for his efforts on the baseball team. Clark was selected as Honorable Mention All-SPC in basketball and All-South Zone and All-SPC in Baseball.

As a four-year member of Habitat for Humanity, Clark spent three years on the steering committee and has been lauded for his leadership on the construction site, as well as on the court and ball diamond. An honor roll student, Connett will study mechanical engineering at the University of Texas-Austin in the fall.

“Clark Connett has been a four-year varsity baseball letterman and starter. He is a true student-athlete and respected by his peers. He is a vocal leader as well as leading by example. The baseball team will truly miss a fine young man and a great player like Clark,” said Brent Landrum, head coach of boys’ varsity baseball.

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