Cooper Lutkenhaus
Northwest, Justin, TX, c/o 2027
AthleticNET Bio

Get to Know Q & A

- Your nickname, if any, and how did it come about?

Coop

- How did you get your start in track and field and/or cross country?

Played lots of sports in middle school, but after my 8th grade year at NON and winning the MS 400/800 I knew it was my future.

- Your parents' athletic background. Did they play any sports-where(HS, College, Pro), what position, when, any awards?  Please include names.

Mother; Tricia was a 2 time Texas state qualifier in the 4x400R. Father; George was a 2 time Texas state qualifier in XC and track (800/1600), went on to run collegiately at the University of North Texas. 

- Any siblings? Please include names and genders and any accomplishments in or out of sport.

George Jr swims at Adams State University. Andrew was a 2 time Texas State Qualifier in track (800m) and runs at Tulsa University

- Outside interests- your hobbies, talents(musical, chess, anything), volunteering- what do you do in your free time?

Video games with friends, and hanging with my family.

- At school, do you do any extracurricular activities? i.e. student government, clubs or other sports.

5 sport athlete in middle school, and cross country/ track in high school. 

- Pre- and post- race rituals. Any superstitions?

No superstitions, but I do like to listen to country music pre/race to relax

- Movie watcher and/or book reader? What is/are your favorite book and/or movie and why?

Favorite book was Ultra-Marathon Man.

- How do you deal with setbacks and triumphs?

" Don't let the highs get to high and the lows get to low"

- Pet owner? If so, what is your pet's name and type/breed?

Just two brothers.

- Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully running in college and an education.

- What words would you have for your sixth grade self?

Play hard, and have fun.

- Who is your favorite track and field athlete and why? How about other sports-who is your favorite athlete and why?

Josh Kerr. Like the way he races and his confidence. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) was my favorite player growing up.

- Favorite hype song, if any, before your competition.

Anything by John Pardi, Morgan Wallen, and Parker McCullum.

- Many athletes are quoted as saying " trust the process". What does that mean to you?

Run consistently. There are good days and bad days, most importantly you're having days.

- How do you balance social media with your performance? Does social media impact you positively or negatively?

There can be a lot of negativity. I find it best to laugh off the negatives and be thankful for the positive comments.

- Favorite and not favorite high school subject and why?

Favorite subject is history because I love the stories and lessons about what others have gone through. Try not to repeat the same mistakes. Least favorite is math- seems to be a family tradition.

- Favorite musical artist and why? What is your favorite song by that artist?

John Pardi because I like country music. (cowboy Hat)

- Favorite pre- and post- meal?

Pre-race favorite is tortellini. Post-race Track Town Pizza!

- Dire question warning :) If you were unable to continue to compete in track and field, what would you do?

Move to swimming.

- What do you see your legacy being-in and outside the track world?

Hopefully breaking some National records and winning all I can.

- What is your vice? What do you binge on that you can't seem to control?

Panda Express, and Nerd gummy clusters.

- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Nick Symmonds