Student-Athletes Honored At Annual Athletic Awards
Athletes of the Year, Leadership Honorees Named
The John Cooper School Department of Athletics hosted The Celebration of Champions athletics awards ceremony on May 17 in The Glenn Performing Arts Center honoring the year’s student-athletes and highlighting the personal and team successes of the 2023-24 Dragon athletic programs.
Athletes, family members, coaches and faculty gathered for the event which featured team and individual recognitions, highlight videos, Athlete of the Year and Leadership Award winner presentations as well as top male and female performers, newcomers and team performances as chosen by Dragon coaches.
Seniors Morgan Robson and Gus Feinberg were named Athletes of the Year. Seniors Isabelle Guidry and Jackson Todd were each presented with The Dragon Booster Club Athletic Leadership Award.
ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Athletes of the Year are chosen for their proven success and recognition in athletics, as well as for demonstrated leadership through performance and actions.
SPC Champion diver Morgan Robson earned Female Athlete of the Year recognition for her all-conference performances as a 1m springboard diver. Robson had an undefeated senior season and was one of the team’s MVPs.
“This year she matched her career margin of victory, overwhelming her competition by over 150 each meet,” Cooper director of athletics John Hoye said. “She is one of the most dynamic athletes the SPC has produced in years and ended her high school career, undefeated!”
A high honor roll student and member of the school’s Cum Laude Society, Robson is a Cooper pioneer, meaning she has been continually enrolled at Cooper since kindergarten. Robson will dive for The University of Texas at Austin in the fall.
Senior Gus Feinberg earned Male Athlete of the Year honors as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track & field.
On the football team, Feinberg received All SPC honors as a receiver with 50 catches for 644 yards and five touchdowns this season. On the basketball court, Feinberg’s basketball game averages were 6.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists and .3 blocks this season. On the track & field team, Feinberg is an SPC Champion in the high jump, tying the school record of 6’4” and is the team’s field event MVP.
“He is a hardworking, motivated, talented and exceptional athlete,” Hoye said. “As a leader he was a vital part of his teams’ successes.”
An honor roll student, Feinberg was co-emcee of Cooper’s Spirit week activities. In the fall, Feinberg continues his education at the University of Mississippi, Oxford Miss.
THE DRAGON BOOSTER CLUB LEADERSHIP AWARD
Recipients of The John Cooper School Leadership Award, sponsored by the Dragon Booster Club are selected by the Athletic Department for demonstrating excellence in leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, competitive spirit and dedication as a varsity athlete. Seniors Isabelle Guidry and Jackson Todd were each honored with a 2024 Leadership Award.
Female Leadership Award recipient, senior Isabelle Guidry, is captain of the Dragon cheer squad. Coaches noted her commitment and well modeled character on the sidelines as cheerleader for the fall and winter seasons. Cheer squad teammates respect her as she makes each person feel welcome.
“Guidry was key in organizing the Cooper Athletic Association, helping to increase spirit and awareness for Cooper’s teams,” Hoye said of Guidry who was also the President of the Cooper Athletic Association which promotes team spirit at Cooper.
Off the sidelines, Guidry is a high honor roll student and a member of the school’s Cum Laude Society. She is also a Cooper Pioneer, meaning she has been continually enrolled at Cooper since kindergarten. Guidry continues her studies at the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.
Jackson Todd received the Male Leadership Award for his leadership as a captain on both the football and baseball teams.
“He brings a genuine passion and drive to the teams he plays on,” Hoye said. “His authentic energy displayed while on the field is complemented by thoughtful mannerisms on the sideline.”
Todd is a high honor roll student and member of the school’s Cum Laude Society. He is also co-president of Cooper Connects, a group to welcome new students. Todd has committed to play football for Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va. in the fall.
In addition to individual team awards, coaches voted distinctions to honor the following athletes and teams.
• Team Performances of the Year
For female teams, the varsity girls tennis team shone for their 3-2 win over Hockaday to advance to the SPC Finals and ultimately to become the SPC 4-A runner ups.
For male teams, the honor went to the varsity boys basketball team for their buzzer-beater win over Houston Christian. They ultimately became the SPC 3-A runner ups.
• Individual Performers of the Year
The track and field teams provided both performer of the year recipients. Junior Milla Signorelli and senior Amir Rizvi. Signorelli is the two-time SPC pole vault champion, breaking a school record and tying a 10-year-old meet record of 12’6. Rizvi was All SPC in the 100, 200, and both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, breaking two school records and matching one along the way.
• Newcomers of the Year honors went to juniors Skyler Loggins for his efforts in football and basketball and Ana Del Angel Aguilar for volleyball.
“This year has provided infinite successes, victories and triumphs for our student-athletes and teams,” Hoye said. “We applaud all challenges overcome and hope the lessons learned in competition will remain with you in the future. Collectively, you made this year truly remarkable, one we will never forget.”
The John Cooper School
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.
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.
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.
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