Athlete of the Week: Cooper Knapp

Photo courtesy of Cooper Knapp.

Cooper Knapp

 

Sport: Swimming

Year: First

Hometown: Glens Falls, New York

Major: Biochemistry

 

How Did You First Start Swimming?

I started swimming competitively at the age of five with the rest of my four older siblings on the Glens Falls YMCA Gators. 

Outside Of Swimming, What Do You Like To Do?

Outside of swimming I have enjoyed skiing up until recently, because of how much swimming has taken over my life. 

Who Are Your Biggest Role Models?

One of my biggest role models is my high school coach, Kevin Crossman. Kevin has always brought me back to swimming when I was less than enthusiastic to continue the demanding sport. His coaching was emotional and inspirational, which always made me excited for another season with him. We still talk today and he predicts, with great precision, how I will perform. 

Are You A Fan Of Any Professional Teams?

I enjoy watching the Emirates play, but I don’t watch many sports.

Do You Have Any Sports-Related Superstitions?

The only superstition that I can think of that I do when I swim is before a race I have to be moving around (jumping up and down, shaking my limbs) and I have to be completely dry until I hit the water on the start of the race. 

What’s Your Favorite Sports Memory?

My favorite sports memory is when my high school team had three state relays and when we finished sixth in the state for our 200 Medley Relay, (the best our school has ever placed in the event). And we shattered all of those school relay records.