Dragon Football Undefeated, Cross Country Teams Place Fifth, Volleyball Splits First Weekend of SPC Play


Results from the week of September 24

VARSITY FOOTBALL  Dragons Win Second SPC Game of the Season

9/28 at Irving Cistercian • 42-35 WIN

John Cooper is 5-0, 2-0 in SPC 3A play

Stats
Offense:
Passing:
Evan Minarovic was 26 for 47 for 460 yards and 6 TD passes
Receiving:
Thomas Elkhoury had 9 catches for 229 yards and 3 TDs
Logan Leax had 9 catches for 148 yards and 2 TDs
Defense:
Jake Peterson had 12 tackles
Joe Wilkins had 12 tackles
Matt Krehbiel had 10 tackles
Thomas Elkhoury had 9 tackles

Logan Leax had a game ending interception

Special teams and defense caused four turnovers

From Coach Brent Landrum: What a win. It’s amazing to think how far this program has come in just a few years. Two years ago, we went on the road to Cistercian and lost 35-0. This time, we travel to their place and win 42-35 and hold them off at the very end. It was a program-defining win. I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. We faced some great adversity and found a way to hold on and come out on top. We will continue to keep our heads down and work hard and prepare for a home game this Friday vs. Arlington Oakridge. Go Dragons!

Next up for Dragon Football:
Oct. 5 vs. Arlington Oakridge*, 7 p.m.
Oct.28 vs Oklahoma City Casady*, 7 p.m. at University of North Texas, Apogee Stadium


VARSITY VOLLEYBALL Dragons Split First Conference Weekend Games

9/25 vs. Awty International 3-1 WIN
25-12 win
24-26 loss
25-23 win
25-15 win

9/28 at St. Andrew’s* 3-2 WIN
25-17 loss
25-20 win
25-17 loss
26-24 win
17-15 win

From Coach Ray Hedden: St. Andrews was a very tough team and had a gym that was rowdy to say the least. We played them on their Dip Pink night where they had an amazing set up and speaker. It was a very touching ceremony that had a few of our girls in tears. We ended up with the victory carrying the night to five very tough fought sets. We won in 3-2 after an amazing come back in the final set where St Andrews had match point 5 times. Our defense defended each point and came up with the win.

9/29 at St. Stephen’s* 0-3 LOSS
25-17 loss
25-20 loss
25-23 loss

From Coach Ray Hedden: St. Stephens was another story. With the energy spent the previous night with the St. Andrew’s win, the team was really flat for the next morning. St. Stephens over powered our defense and won in three straight sets. It was a disappointing showing to say the least but we need to shake it off and get ready for this week.

Season record: 18–4. SPC record: 1-1

Next up for Dragon Volleyball:
Oct. 4 at St. Pius X, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 11 vs. Episcopal High School*, 5:30 p.m.


VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY Both Teams Finish Fifth At Nike South

9/29 at the Nike South Invitational, Bear Branch Sports Park

The Cooper Cross Country teams competed at the Nike South Invitational this Saturday in The Woodlands. The boys’ team cracked the top five of the Elite Division behind three of the best public school teams in the state. The fifth place finish was Cooper’s best team finish in school history. Due to storms during the race, the course was adjusted from a 5000m to three miles. Leading the team was senior Mitchell Shannon in 30th place. He was followed by Eli Araya’s 36thplace finish just seven seconds later. The other scorers were Will McDermott, Erik Burns, and Cadan Hanson who all broke the 17-minute mark in the 3-mile race.

“We are fit and competing well,” said Coach George Dohner. “We were excited to see how the boys competed in this strong field of competitors. They ran well on a wet course and we couldn’t more proud of them.”

Boys’ Varsity – Elite Race – 3 mi.
Mitchell Shannon (30) – 16:10
Eli Araya (36) – 16:17
Will McDermott (64) – 16:45
Erik Burns (72) – 16:55
Cadan Hanson (75) – 17:00
Drew Wilkerson (85) – 17:14
Brian Ross (109) – 17:41

The Cooper girls also finished in fifth place, running well in the Varsity Division. Senior Ava Minarovic was first team scorer in 24th today followed by Freshman Rebecca Melin (32) and Paige Cromley (36).
“Rebecca and Paige have been improving with each workout and had a really good race today,” said Coach Dohner.
Completing the five team scorers were Madison Breaux (39) and Amber Navarra (65).

“We were very happy with the team’s performance today, especially as storms were moving in and the rain began to fall during their race,” said Dohner. “We had some young runners really step up and run well while a couple of our top runners are recovering from some minor injuries. The girls continue to improve as a team and are showing that they will make their presence known in the SPC this year.”
Cooper’s leading runner, sophomore Katie Drake was the sole Cooper competitor in the Nike South Elite Division.

“Katie ran well in a loaded field of 129 runners. She finished in 46th place. We were proud of her effort today as she went out very aggressive with a first mile split at 6:20. Although she didn’t run her best time at 20:15, she proved that she can compete with some of the best runners around.
Up next for Cooper will be the St John’s Ramble on October 13 in Houston.

Girls’ Varsity – 3 mi.
Ava Minarovic (24) – 20:42
Rebecca Melin (32) – 21:00
Paige Cromley (36) – 21:03
Madison Breaux (39) – 21:08
Amber Navarra (65) – 21:38
Uche Oguchi (70) – 21:50
Avriana Lisembee (80) – 22:01
 
Next up for Dragon Cross Country:
Oct. 13 at St. John Maverick Ramble-TC Jester Park
Oct. 27 at SPC South Zone Championships at St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Nov. 10 at SPC Championships at Norbuck Park


UPCOMING VARSITY SPORTS ACTION AT HOME
Friday, October 5
7 p.m. Varsity Football vs Arlington Oakridge*
Tuesday, October 11
5:30 p.m. Varsity Volleyball vs Episcopal HS*
*conference matchup
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From Curiosity to Wisdom
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.

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