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Ella Cooper from Toronto, Canada has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at South Carolina beginning in fall 2027.
“I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of South Carolina!! Thank you to my family, friends, coach Tristan and everyone at LSC for helping me grow as an athlete and person. Lastly, I would like to say thank you to Coach Jeff and the rest of the coaching staff at South Carolina for this amazing opportunity… GO COCKS!!”
Cooper swims for Lakeshore Swim Club and most recently competed at the Canada Summer Games in the middle of August. There she was highlighted by wins and personal best times in the 800 free (8:55.83), 1500 free (16:58.19), and 200 fly (2:15.87). She also swam to 2nd place finsihed in the 400 free (4:19.85) and 400 IM (4:57.19) both of which were best times as well.
Earlier this summer, Cooper swam to a top eight finish in the 1500 free at Canadian Trials as she was 5th in a 17:06.04. She also was 9th in the 800 free in a 8:59.81, which also was a lifetime best before she swam faster at the Summer Games.
Cooper’s Best LCM Times (With SCY Conversions) Are:
- 400/500 free: 4:19.85 (4:51.14)
- 1500/1650 free: 16:58.19 (16:38.22)
- 200 fly: 2:15.87 (1:59.88)
- 400 IM: 4:57.19 (4:21.97)
The South Carolina women finished 5th out of 13 teams at the 2025 SEC Championships with 635.5 points, just behind Georgia who had 689.5 points. Diver Sophia Verzyl led the way with 73 points including a win in the 3 meter event.
It took a 16:26.40 in the 1650 free and a 4:44.88 in the 500 free to earn a second swim at SECs. The 1650 free was the team’s highest scoring individual event as they scored 49 points including 8th and 9th place finished from Madison Kolessar and Nora Fluck.
Cooper will arrive in fall 2027 as a member of the class of 2031 along with Emily Schneider, Emilia Trailov, Emmie Lewis, Paige Stepanoff, Libby Helmer, Madeline Ryan, and Maryellen Lewis. Stepanoff is also from Toronto and swims for Toronto Swim Club.
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