Kiyla Cooper Jumps to Great Heights to Achieve Success

For eight years now this Watonga High School senior has participated in track and has come to achieve high success.

Kiyla Cooper first began running track when she joined the track team in the fifth grade. Ever since then she has continuously practiced to better herself.

“Practice has been amazing and really fun,” Cooper said. “[I’ve been] practicing hands-off, practicing high jump, and working out.”

Cooper has participated in the 4x1 relay and the mile relay, however, her most notable accomplishments come from participating in the high jump event.

Last year Cooper attended the state track meet and was able to place in the high jump event. The year before that she won a state track title.

Dealing with both school and work has not been much of a challenge for Cooper which is a positive for her as she uses any extra time to continue to better herself.

“I’m more focused on track and going to state and winning it all over again,” Cooper said.

Cooper continued to make it obvious on what her goal for this season is as she said it with confidence.

“I think this season will be pretty good and one big goal is to get first in high jump at state this year,” she said.

While Cooper’s confidence was clear, she admits she could not be where she is were it not for her father.

“He’s always been my motivation since I was a kid,” Cooper said. “He pushed me to be the person I am today.”

Lucky for Cooper she has a good shot at achieving her goal this year, as she said that COVID has not had that big of an impact on the season as it has with other things.

“Dealing with COVID during the season hasn't been that bad,” Cooper said. “Nothing has happened yet and I don't think it will mess this season up.”

Though Cooper may try to use every free minute she can to practice and reach her goal of winning state again, she still finds time to relax and enjoy her hobbies of drawing and finding things to do outside.