Cooper Honors Its Outstanding Athletes

Athletes of the Year and Leadership Award winners were announced.

More than 400 athletes, family members, coaches and faculty gathered for the annual All Sports Banquet as The John Cooper School Athletic Department honored its 2015-16 athletes in the school’s Student Center and Performing Arts Center on May 20.

“I know I speak for all the coaches in saying, you are all exceptional student-athletes, and we would like to thank you for representing The John Cooper School with class and pride,” said Cooper Interim Athletic Director Scott Holland as he thanked athletes, parents and coaches for their support throughout the year and recognized the year’s individual and team accomplishments.

Senior Kathryn Early and junior Emerson Raybon were named Outstanding Athletes of the Year, and seniors Natalie Sos and Cameron Ziegler were each presented with The John Cooper School Athletic Leadership Award.

Athletes of the Year

Senior Kathryn Early earned Female Athlete of the Year honors for her efforts in both basketball and softball. As point guard on the basketball team, Early finished her four-year varsity career as captain, earning honorable mention in All South Zone Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) and the team’s Dragon Award for her spirit and determination. Early was also a finalist representing girls’ basketball at the 11th annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete banquet in May.

“I am thrilled that Kathryn Early’s dedication and determination has been recognized,” Cooper Head Basketball Coach B.J. Feuerhelm said. “Her ability to perform at the highest level in two varsity sports is what sets her apart. Throughout the year, she has epitomized what a leader and competitor should look like.”

Early pitched for four years on the varsity softball team and was team captain this year. She not only earned All South Zone SPC honors, but All SPC honors, and was named the team’s Co-MVP.

“I have truly enjoyed watching Kat blossom this year,” said Cooper Head Softball Coach Nicole Hedden. “She was co-captain for the softball team and led the team on the mound for an amazing season. Her competitive spirit and determination will take her places in the future.”

Early is an honor roll student and a Cooper Pioneer, meaning she has attended the independent, college preparatory school continuously since kindergarten. She is an editor and four-year member of the school’s yearbook staff. A longtime member of National Charity League (NCL), Early earned the Senior Service Award, the organization’s top award this year, and it was her commitment to service that earned her and her mother the NCL Mother/Daughter award for six consecutive years. Early is also a regular delivery person for Meals on Wheels. In the fall, she will attend the University of Mississippi in Oxford to pursue a degree in business.

Male Athlete of the Year, junior Emerson Raybon earned recognition for his work on the football and baseball fields.

As linebacker and running back, Raybon is a three-year starter and three-year letterman on the football team. He holds school records in rushing attempts and rushing yards and he is the team leader in tackles and sacks, earning him team MVP honors this year.

On the baseball field, Raybon is the team’s catcher. He is a two-year starter and three-year letterman. He has earned SPC All South Zone baseball honors and Honorable Mention All SPC honors this year. Raybon was also named All Tournament at both the Cooper Tournament and Cooper Round Robin Tournament.

An honor roll student, Raybon is an active member of an independent student investment club and donates his time several times a month to the Salvation Army soup kitchen, serving meals to those in need. He is also active in his church youth group.

“As a major contributor to the football and baseball teams, Emerson is truly deserving of this award,” said Brent Landrum, Cooper’s head coach for both varsity football and baseball. “As the team MVP in football and SPC All South Zone in baseball, he surely has had a great year. He is versatile in both sports and he plays each game to win. Emerson is an even better individual and that makes the choice all the better. I can’t wait to see how his senior year plays out; he is sure to have another great year.”

The John Cooper School Leadership Award

The John Cooper School Leadership Award is sponsored by the Cooper Booster Club and selected by the athletic department, to recognize the senior boy and/or girl who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, competitive spirit and dedication as a varsity athlete at The John Cooper School.

Co-Leadership Award winner, senior Natalie Sos, is a three-sport athlete, who has earned 12 varsity letters competing in cross country, soccer and track & field. She served as captain on both the soccer and cross country teams. Her spirit and determination earned her the school’s Dragon Award in both soccer and track & field. A high honor roll student, Sos is the student body vice president and active on the Ethics Bowl team. She is a member of the school’s Interact community service program and an ambassador in Student 2 Student, an organization to welcome new students to Cooper. Sos is an accomplished artist, earning regional recognition for her mixed media and sculpture. She will enter the liberal arts honors program at The University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

“Natalie established herself as a "lead by example" leader from her first day in our soccer program. Natalie consistently gives you 100 percent,” said Head Soccer Coach Amber Clevenger. “I'm so very proud of Natalie–she has certainly given a lot to this program and she will be missed.”

Senior Cameron Ziegler also received the Leadership Award. Ziegler was a two-year starter on the football team and played varsity basketball for two years, serving as team captain his senior year. A high honor roll student and Cooper Pioneer, Ziegler was editor-in-chief of the Paragon yearbook, serving on staff for four years and was active in Junior Statesman of America. Ziegler also coaches a youth basketball team. Ziegler will study business at Baylor University in the fall.

“Cameron is mature beyond his years. He possesses the characteristics that are consistent with those of a strong leader and he is comfortable being in a leadership role,” said Cooper Head Basketball Coach Rod Gold. “He is a vocal leader with a great understanding of how to motivate his teammates. I am proud of Cameron and believe he is most deserving of a 2016 Leadership Award.”

–5/31/16



2015-2016 Sports Banquet Highlight Video
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The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.

The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.