NCSA Summer Champs 400 IM Runner-Up Michael Cooper Verbals to Ohio State

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Michael Cooper of OLY Swimming in Michigan has verbally committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes for fall 2021.

I’m very excited to announce that I am going to continue my academic and athletic career at The Ohio State University! I would like to thank my coaches for making me the swimmer I am today. I would also like to thank my family and friends for all the support along the way! Go bucks!

TOP TIMES (SCY)

  • 100 free – 46.72
  • 200 free – 1:39.57
  • 500 free – 4:30.58
  • 1000 free – 9:23.83
  • 1650 free – 15:47.44
  • 200 back – 1:50.68
  • 100 breast – 56.38
  • 200 breast – 2:03.26
  • 200 IM – 1:49.91
  • 400 IM – 3:53.92

Cooper is quite versatile, with speed as a range-y freestyler, breaststroker and IMer. The mid-distance free/IM type has been incredibly successful in recent years at OSU; at the 2020 Big Ten Championships, now-graduated Drew Loy won conference crowns in the 200 free (1:31.88) and 200 IM (1:42.03), while Paul Delakis was one tick behind him, placing second in both and mere tenths back. Delakis has one year of eligibility remaining.

At the 2019 NCSA Summer Championships in long course, Cooper was the 400 IM runner-up (4:28.09), just off of the Olympic Trials cut in the event. At that meet, he also finished seventh in the 200 IM (2:09.53/2:07.58 in prelims) and 17th in the 200 breast (2:22.57).

Cooper has Big Ten scoring speed in the 400 IM so far, where his best of 3:53.92 would’ve squeezed him into the C-final of the 2020 conference meet. Additionally, he would’ve been roughly eight seconds off of scoring in the mile.

Cooper joins Grafton Parlette, William BansbergJosh BogniardAlex QuachKarl HelmuthTim Kalin, and Luke Paxton in OSU’s class of 2025.

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MHM
4 years ago

Great swimmer… even better kid. OSU will be lucky to have him!

Buckeyeboy
4 years ago

Any relation to Jeff or Adam Cooper? I am guessing yes. Those two guys have the best laughs you will ever hear on a pool deck. Congrats to Michael on his commitment.

swimmi
Reply to  Buckeyeboy
4 years ago

He’s Jeff’s son and so Adam’s nephew.

Beatty
4 years ago

Congrats! OSU got a gem.

SSwimer
4 years ago

Congrats Michael!!!!! GO BUCKS.

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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