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Radnor runner Olivia Cooper is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

Posted On: Wednesday, January 21, 2015
By: ldevlin

A junior captain of both the Radnor girls’ indoor track and field team and girls’ cross country squad, Cooper had a fine performance in the 800-meter run at the recent Hispanic Games at The Armory in New York City, clocking 2:26.6 to finish second in her section. According to Radnor head coach Tom Flanagan, she has a good chance of qualifying for the PA Indoor State Championships in March in the 800-meter indoor run. She also won a medal in the mile run at the Delco Indoor Championships this month.

Main Line Media News: What are your most vivid memories of the Hispanic Games?

Olivia Cooper: I had just gotten over the flu, so I was not sure how well I would run. I vividly remember coming around the final turn and seeing the timer. That was when I realized I could run an indoor personal best, which pushed me to finish hard.

Main Line Media News: What was the key to your fine performance at the Delco Indoor Championships?

Olivia Cooper: I also ran the 4×200 and 4×400 in that meet, and I think the key to be able to run all those races in one day is mental focus. I think what helped me run a good mile was that I wasn’t nervous because I don’t normally run that event, so I was able to relax and focus on the race.

Main Line Media News: Briefly describe for us your pre-race preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a race.

Olivia Cooper: Before a race, I like to listen to music and use a roller to loosen up my muscles. I also talk to Coach [Tom] Flanagan about strategy.

Main Line Media News: What’s your favorite running venue (indoor or outdoor), and why?

Olivia Cooper: My favorite venue is the Armory in New York City, because it is so big and every meet there has so many teams. There’s also music and the energy of the crowd really pumps me up, so I usually run pretty well there.

Main Line Media News: Does your running strategy change at all, running indoors versus running outdoors?

Olivia Cooper: I like to think of the indoor and outdoor seasons as one big training season. I run fastest at the end of spring track because I have been training since cross country [season]. Basically I work hard every season, but I taper more and put everything into the very end of outdoor track [season].

Main Line Media News: As a junior captain of both the Radnor indoor track and cross-country teams, how do you see your leadership role on the team — how do you feel most comfortable exercising your leadership?

Olivia Cooper: I love being captain of both teams because I am so happy to be able to lead a group of such talented and dedicated girls. We love hanging out and being together as a team. I like to think that I help the younger girls develop a love for the sport, because that is what I think is most important.

Main Line Media News: You’ve also competed at the Penn Relays. What is your most vivid memory (to date) of the Penn Relays?

Olivia Cooper: The Penn Relays are one of my favorite events in spring track because they are not only an opportunity to run at a historical venue, but to see successful college and professional runners. My most vivid memory would have to be when I first ran there as a freshman, and realized just how many people were watching.

Main Line Media News: What do you think you might want to major in at college?

Olivia Cooper: I am considering majoring in some combination of English, Journalism and Government, because I am interested in a possible career in one of those fields.

Main Line Media News: Outside of cross-country and track, do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Radnor High School?

Olivia Cooper: I am a member of Radnor High School’s student council, where I have served as Secretary for three years. I am also a member of the Radnor Matters club, which focuses on the importance of kindness in school. Additionally, I helped start Radnor Badminton Club, which has become a popular activity at my school. It is a great way to release energy during the school day.

Olivia Cooper’s favorites

Book: 1984.

Author: George Orwell.

TV show: How I Met Your Mother.

Movie: Life of Pi.

Pre-race pump-up song: Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Athlete: Mary Cain.

Person I admire most: “I admire my coach, Mr. Flanagan, most, because not only does he really know what he’s talking about, he also has a great sense of humor and dedicates so much time and energy to the team. He cares about everyone and is so well respected. It is his dedication that inspires us to work hard and run fast.’

Team: Phillies.

Place to visit: Long Beach Island.

 

Click HERE to read the entire interview.

Radnor's Olivia Cooper

 

 

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