Being a great athlete is more than just showing up on game day ready to compete. There is a lot of time and dedication that goes into it ahead of time. Cooper Hilton is a multisport athlete at Coweta high school and she says that you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to be the best.

“It takes a lot of sacrifice and hard work to be your best,” she said. “I have had traditional childhood experiences with training, workouts, and practices. I’ve usually been the smallest on the court, especially on my travel team but that has taught me to not let my size determine me. I can still have an important role and help my team a lot.”

Cooper plays basketball and competes in cross country and track for the Tigers. She says that over her career, she has had a few people that have had an influence on her and helped her become the athlete and the person that she is today.

“I love watching other basketball players at all levels,” she said. “But my favorite is Candace Parker of the WNBA. Her work ethic and enthusiasm bring me much joy and i look up to her a lot. Another person was my freshman English teacher. She taught me patience and always brought positivity to my day. Outside of English class, she always checked in on us in class and that means a lot.”

Hilton has had some great moments that she has experienced over the years. But one of the biggest for her was when a division one college coach recognized her ability.
“This past summer we were playing at the Texas Showcase,” she recalled. “The coach from Purdue was watching our team and said that I had a solid ability to see the floor, pass, and I was quality point guard material. My confidence went way up after that.”

Around campus, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Along with playing for the school basketball team, Cooper is also a member of the Swift Nationals 2023 club team.