Sophomore Bryce Cooper '22 ran to victory in the 400m (50.16) at the Meet of Champions on Saturday, February 22, qualifying for the Pennsylvania State competition.
"My main goal going into the race was to have a strong start in order to position well after the break, when the runners collapse into lane 1," explained Bryce. "After that, I was focusing on whoever was in front of me and finishing with everything I had left." Bryce is the first EA 400m runner in recent school history to win the Meet of the Champions race. He was also the only sophomore to win a race at the event. Read more coverage by PA Prep Live here.
"I felt accomplished because all of my preparation paid off," said Bryce. "There is always a feeling of fulfillment after coming in first, but it also means that if there could have been one more person in front of you, you would have pushed harder."
Bryce finished 6th at the State meet, held at Penn State University on Saturday, Feb. 29. He was seeded #12 out of 20. Bryce currently holds the EA school records in the 200m and 400m. He is ranked as the #1 sophomore in the 400m in Pennsylvania and the #9 sophomore in the country.
Bryce also plays on the football team, is a member of the Vestry, and participates with EA's Global Youth Leadership Institute.