Tripp Cooper
James G. Cooper III, but chooses to go as Tripp, was born Feb. 20, 1993 to parents, Jim and Dorothy. Cooper went to high school at The Woodlands where he was a 12-time NISCA All-American. After high school he chose to stay in the lone star state to attend the University of Texas, where he currently is in his senior year. The butterfly specialist stands tall at six-foot-five, and is studying Biology.
University of Texas
2011-2012
In his freshman season at Texas, Cooper qualified for the Division I Swimming Championships after finishing fourth in the 100 (47.53) and 200 butterfly (1:46.75) at the Big 12 Championships. He went on to win the 100 fly in the American Short Course Championships in 47.08.
2012-2013
At the the 2013 NCAA DI Men’s Swimming Championships Cooper qualified in the 100 and 200 butterfly, this time finishing 28th in the 100 and 31st in the 200. Cooper also followed up on his win at the American Short Course Championships in 46.70.
2013-2014
Cooper made a huge leap in his junior year at Texas becoming a three-time All-American. After finishing in the top three in all of his individual events at the Big 12 Championships, Cooper finished fifth in the 100 butterfly (45.46) at the NCAA Championships. He also was on the second-place 200 freestyle relay and the fifth-place 400 medley relay.
2014-2015
Cooper returned for the 2014-2015 season alongside an extremely strong butterfly group. At the NCAA Championships the sprint specialist took on the 100-yard fly for his first event, using his early speed to gain an advantage. Going out with Jack Conger the first 50 yards, Cooper nearly held on the last 50 yards for the gold. He touched in 3rd behind Joseph Schooling and Conger in 45.06, which added to Texas’ dominant 1-2-3-4 finish in the 100-yard fly. In the 200, Cooper had a strong first 150 yards, but his final time wasn’t enough to advance for a second swim — he finished 22nd.
National Competition
Tripp Cooper qualified for the 2008 and the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100m and 200m butterfly. In 2012 he finished 83rd in the 200 and 29th in the 100. Cooper is also a former Junior National Champion in the 50 butterfly.
At the 2015 Phillips 66 National Championships, Cooper earned a second swim in the 100-meter fly. In a heat stacked with swimmers such as Michael Phelps and teammate Conger, Cooper touched 2nd at the first 50 meters with his strong front-end speed, but ended up touching in 7th place in 52.63.
