Three-Time Illinois State Champion Grace Cooper Verbals to Texas for Class of 2024

Photo Courtesy: Grace Cooper

NEW COMMIT: The University of Texas has earned a new verbal commitment for the fall of 2020 from Oswego, Ill. native and current high school junior Grace Cooper.

Primarily a sprint freestyler, Cooper does her club swimming with Delta Aquatics and owns a pair of U.S. Open standards. She most recently competed at NCSAs where she was the 100 free runner-up with four additional top-15 finishes. She had a stellar Winter National meet in December, placing fifth in the 50m free and eighth in the 100m free after finaling in both of those events at Phillips 66 Nationals this past summer.

Also competing for Oswego East High School, Cooper is a five-time Illinois State Championship finalist. She won the 50/100 free combo as a junior after winning the 100 and taking second in the 50 during her sophomore season. Cooper has also earned NISCA All-American honors twice so far in her career.

She told Swimming World:

“I chose Texas because of the family like environment…all of the coaches, swimmers, and staff made me feel welcomed as soon as I stepped foot on campus. I cannot wait to swim, study, and be a part of the Longhorn family!!”

Her best times include:

50 free – 22.36
100 free – 49.29
200 free – 1:48.22
100 fly – 54.44

Even with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go before arriving in Austin for the 2020-21 season, Cooper will make an immediate impact in the Longhorns’ sprint group. She would’ve placed third in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free at the 2019 Big 12 Championships.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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B.J. Bedford Miller

5 years ago

Hook ‘em, Grace! You’re joining a great tradition!