Sports

Holmdel's Lennon Cooper Will Race In 'Meet of Champions'

The Holmdel High School Junior, a breakout star, will represent the High School Varsity Girls team Saturday

On a wet and damp Thursday after school, Lennon Cooper practically had the Holmdel Park trails to herself. She sailed through laps around the tennis courts, conditioning her mind and body for the prestigious Meet of Champions Saturday.

Thanks to a wildcard draw, Cooper was selected to represent Holmdel in the big race.

Holmdel High School Girls Cross Country Head Coach Kaci Redding said she is optimistic Cooper will break her own 5K record of 19:21 - the school record.

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"I think with Lennon's it's all about confidence with her," said Redding, as Cooper went through her paces. "With every race that she runs, she has to run her own race. It's not about what anyone else does, it's just about what she does. That's the thing about Cross Country, it's all about focus, from the beginning to the end."

Lennon said she is "Hoping for top 20, but my time is not there yet." She said that the only thing she'll be concentrating on during the race will be the racers in front of her, and finishing well.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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