“I can’t imagine myself not doing track.” That pretty much sums up Elise Cooper—one of the biggest rising stars in track and field. But here’s the kicker: this Maryland sprinter just did something that’s got everyone talking. A few days ago, Texas signee Elise Cooper blazed a 22.64 in the indoor 200m at New Balance Nationals, making her the second-fastest high schooler ever in the event.
Yeah, that’s how you announce yourself to the world! But wait, there’s more. Elise isn’t just a one-race wonder. At only 18, this track and field star is already a Pan American U20 silver medalist and has a top-8 finish at the World U20 Championships on her resume. And now? Even the legends are talking. On a recent episode of Ready Set Go on YouTube Shorts, Justin Gatlin and Green Rodney couldn’t hold back their excitement.
Rodney was straight-up blown away, saying, “Elise Cooper with a high school number 1 of 22.64 indoor. She could’ve scored maybe 2 points at NCAA Nationals with that time—it’s crazy! These kids are moving!” He couldn’t get over how 22.64 indoors is already college-level fast, adding, “That’s a good outdoor time for some!”
Then he really drove it home, saying, “Running… I won’t even say a high schooler because a good high school time for 200 for a girl is 23.5. That’s like, you eat! 22.26 indoor is crazy.” And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Justin Gatlin chimed in.
“She looks tall, bro, and she didn’t even have the best start in that race. It was OK, but when she got up and started going… boy, Elise!” When two legends like Gatlin and Rodney are this hyped about a high schooler, you know something special is happening. But here’s where things get spicy. The track and field world is divided. Some fans are already calling Elise the next big thing, while others don’t think so. Let’s have a look at what they’re saying.
Fans are skeptical of the track and field rising star
One track and field fan couldn’t help but point out, “Girl peaks years earlier than boys.” And another chimed in, “This girl is .” But let’s not forget—it hasn’t been an easy ride for Elise to get to this point.
When she was just seven, she joined the Owings Mills Track Club, but it didn’t take long before she quit. “I didn’t want to be alone,” she said, admitting that it wasn’t easy at first. But that didn’t last long. Elise wasn’t going to let that be the end of her track story. She recruited her twin sister, Elena, and older sister, Ella, to join her. “I like how we get to support each other,” Elise said, and with that, they became a track trio.
Fast forward to today, and Elise is rewriting the record books. She’s not just dominating at McDonogh School—she’s a national sensation. In 2017, Elise won the 100m and 200m AAU Junior Olympic titles. And since then, she’s racked up impressive times like 36.300 in the 300m.
Even as Elise Cooper makes waves in the track world, some fans remain skeptical of the hype. One fan put it this way, “As much as I love track, the problem is that we see all these upstarts and fast times, but we rarely see the best race. Injuries, suspensions, ducking, missing drug tests. When we see the best, it’s once every 4 years.“
This fan points out that while track and field is full of fast times and rising stars like Elise, the sport’s biggest showdowns—where the best of the best compete—rarely happen outside the Olympics. Fans frequently experience disappointment from all the interruptions and off-track disturbances that prevent top athletes from facing off against each other during regular competitions.
Track and field enthusiasts often doubt whether high school and college competitors can succeed at the senior athlete level. One fan said, “A lot of these high school and college athletes fade into insignificance at the senior level due to expectations giving them stress…” The pressure can be overwhelming, and not every athlete is able to handle it when the stakes get higher.
Another fan took a more direct shot at some of the current stars, saying, “Gabby a one hit wonder and she’ll not go below 21.8 at world or Olympics due to her injuries but Alfred, Long, Richardson, Brown and the upcoming athletes are all gonna go sub 21.7 maybe faster.” It’s a bold prediction, but it highlights the belief that some rising stars will push the limits even further.
However, let’s put things into perspective here. Gabby Thomas, with her 21.60 in the 200m, isn’t exactly done for. Then there’s Julien Alfred at 21.86, Sha’Carri Richardson at 21.92, and Tamara Clark matching her time.
And don’t forget, Elise Cooper, at 22.64, is already making waves, and she’s just getting started. When you look at these times, it’s clear that while fans may have their doubts, the competition is only getting tougher, and Elise, along with these other track and field athletes, is right in the mix. Not bad at all.
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