Rising Star Cooper Sherman Takes Pro Running Scene by Storm

Date: 28th February 2024

A rising star in Australian athletics, Ballarat’s Cooper Sherman has also emerged as a standout figure in professional running circles this season, with his recent triumph on home turf marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.

Following several notable performances in regional Gifts, Cooper’s victory at the Ballarat Gift in February solidified his reputation as a rising star in the sport, propelling him into contention for the Powercor Stawell Gift final.

And this was all before his career best of time of 45.98 only last weekend at Lakeside Stadium to secure the 400m open win at the Victorian Championships.

Proud father attests to his son’s talent, noting Cooper’s versatility across the 70m, 100m, 200m, and 400m distances. Earlier in the month he received an invitation to compete in the 200m at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne.

Despite his lack of prior experience at Stawell, Cooper acknowledges the event’s significance within the pro running community, recognizing it as a pinnacle of competition that draws elite athletes from across Australia. “Even though I have had success in the Gifts recently, Stawell will be an extremely difficult win,” Cooper told us.

“Winning Stawell would be a game-changer,” he said. “It would not only validate my abilities but also serve as a springboard for my career in athletics.”

For Cooper, the allure of pro running lies in its equitable nature, offering athletes of varying speeds an equal chance at victory and fostering intense competition that pushes him to reach his peak performance.

However, he faces a challenge in Ballarat, where the scarcity of sprinters necessitates a reliance on self-improvement rather than head-to-head competition. “I find myself often racing the clock rather than others. Gift running gives me an opportunity to consistently have neck and neck finishes and that’s what makes it so exciting.”

Looking ahead, the 19-year-old sports science student’s immediate plans include participating in the Canberra and Sydney Track Classics and a last kick out at the Bendigo Madison Gift, then on to Stawell and the National Championships.

Under the guidance of coach Neville Down and training with the Ballarat Harriers at Llanberris Athletics Reserve, Cooper remains focused on honing his skills in the world of professional running, alongside pursuing great things in amateur athletics.

 

 

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