BY: MARK BRENT
As the school year slowly progresses, and the fall season concludes, Cooper City High School student athletes were given the opportunity to showcase their talents on and off the field. Various sports such as football, volleyball, swimming, and cross country were all given the opportunity to showcase their abilities to college recruits.
FOOTBALL
Lead by seniors Rashad Weaver, Patrick Pulliam, and Malik McFarlane, the Cooper City football team attempted to make a run into the playoffs. Although originally projected to win the district, the Cowboys ended up falling just short of these expectations, going 4-6. With a three way tie for second place, Nova was awarded the district runner-up over the Cowboys. However, with a developing quarterback, a number of talented upcoming seniors, and an experienced coaching staff, next season foreshadows immense rewards.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Finishing 9-4, Cooper City High School’s girls volleyball team played historically well. Competing in a new district, the Lady Cowboys killed their opposition, and took home the district championship with ease. Not only were they crowned district champions, but they also had the opportunity to compete in the Big 8 Tournament. This tournament is one where the eight best teams in South Florida compete in friendly matches in order to determine who is the preeminent team. Accompanied with senior leadership such as Carly Smitherman, Zoe Hobson, and Ashley Lizzi, the Lady Cowboys earned a respectable 4th place overall, making Head Coach Jill Smitherman and the rest of CCHS proud.
BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING
Best known for its girls 200 Medley Relay, who went undefeated all year and made a splash in both districts and regionals, the swimming team made an exceptional run. With the girls team placing first in the district, and the boys placing second, it’s safe to say that this is a new era for CCHS swimming. Lead by Freshman superstar and olympic trialist Kathleen Golding, who took home a gold and silver medal at regionals, the boys and girls swim teams placed a very impressive 14th out of 98 schools in the state of Florida.
BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
One of Cooper City’s most disregarded sports also participated this fall season. The boys and girls cross country teams ran all the way to districts. Coached by Scott Sodergren, the CCHS boys stole third place and the districts, while the girls took first. However, it didn’t stop at districts. Junior Jose Penalver and Sophomore Aimee Becker had to be the stand out runners of this season, both competing in regionals.
