Featured Athlete: Gretchen Cooper

Photo courtesy of Gretchen Cooper 

Senior Gretchen Cooper is preparing for her final season of tennis at East. Cooper has high expectations for this season hoping to return to State again this year.

Q. How did you get into playing tennis?

A. I started playing about eight years ago because my sister played and my mom is a tennis pro, so they got me started on playing. It has been really nice having them to hit around with before matches, but there is extra pressure to perform because my sister got a full ride to a D1 school and my brother at a D2.  

Q.How would you describe your tennis experience at East?

A. Its been fun, and I’ve made some great friends. Junior year was my favorite because I had the opportunity to go to State. It was great to be apart of that team. We came together to play some really great matches and the team spirit was really high. It was cool to play so many other schools in one tournament.

Q.What do are your expectations for this season?  

A. I think it will go well knowing how invested the coaches are in the team. I think we will hopefully have good results. I went to a clinic and played a lot this summer to prepare for this season. I spend a lot of my free time playing tennis during the year, so the goal has always been to place high at state this year.

Q.What has been the highlight of your tennis career?

A.The highlight of my tennis career was when my tennis group went to South Carolina for Nationals two years ago. That was a really cool experience because we got to compete at a high level and got to watch a high level of tennis.

Q. Do you plan on continuing tennis in college?

A. If this season goes well, the plan is to play tennis at a division one or two schools. I have been looking at Oklahoma Baptist, Ashland University, Colorado Christian and William Jewell.