Miranda H. Lewis
Carter County Times
Athletes from across the state gathered at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester to compete in the KHSAA State Wrestling Championship on Friday, February 25. Among those athletes was East Carter High School’s Allen Cooper.
The two-day event boasts championship and consolation brackets across fourteen weight classes and an eight-spot podium to crown the top wrestlers.
To get to the State Championship, Cooper found success on the mat through his grit, strength, smarts, and no-quit attitude.
His drive for a state title has started early in his high school wrestling career, as he is a sophomore, and this season marked his first experience in the sport.
“Allen is a great student-athlete,” said East Carter Wrestling Coach Cory Jones. “He will only improve the more experience he gets.”
Cooper’s 3rd place finish in the Region 8 Heavyweight Division qualified him to take part in the First-Round events of the State Wrestling Championship.
At the State Semi-Finals on February 19, he finished 7th in the 285-weight class, qualifying him to compete in the Final Round of the tournament.
Cooper went 0-2 during the conclusion of the championship rounds, but he will return next season with hopes of heading back to state where he has unfinished business.
Although the wrestling season has ended for the Raiders, Cooper ended it on a positive note, finishing in the top 16 of the state’s heavyweight division.
With two years left in high school, he has the opportunity to qualify for competition at the state level twice more.
Jones said it best, “The future is bright for him.”
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