The John Cooper School honors more than 300 outstanding athletes

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - More than 300 athletes, family members, coaches and faculty gathered for the annual All Sports Banquet as The John Cooper School Athletic Department honored its 2014-15 athletes in the school’s Student Center and Performing Arts Center on May 15.

“I know I speak for all the coaches in saying, you are all exceptional student-athletes, and we would like to thank you for representing The John Cooper School with class and pride,” said Cooper Athletic Director Mike Cooper as he thanked athletes, parents and coaches for their support throughout the year and recognized the year’s individual and team accomplishments.

Seniors Julianne Malek and Pedro Nasta were named Outstanding Athletes of the Year, and seniors Muna Uzodike and Christian Jones were each presented with The John Cooper School Athletic Leadership Award.

The evening also featured a special presentation to Joseph Broccoli, founding Head of the Upper School, who is retiring this year. Broccoli was presented with a framed football jersey, sporting the number 24, honoring his 24 years of commitment to The John Cooper School. “As the only Upper School head in the school’s history, Mr. Broccoli has seen the school and the athletic program grow from its infancy to what it is today,” said Cooper. “I know I can speak for all the parents, athletes and coaches in thanking you for the impact you have had on our school and on our athletic program.”

Athletes of the Year

Senior Julianne Malek earned Female Athlete of the Year honors for her efforts in both volleyball and track & field. Malek finished her four-year varsity career on the volleyball court as the team’s Most Valuable Player with a first-place ranking in hitting percentage, second in kills and third in blocks. She earned All SPC and All South Zone honors this season. She also plays club volleyball. Malek was selected to represent volleyball at the annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar-Athlete banquet.

In her very first year to compete in track and field, Malek took on the high jump, earning fifth place in the SPC championships, third place at both the Cooper Dragon Invitational and the Maverick Relays, and fourth at the Dick Phillips Relays. “It was great having her out this year,” said Head Track and Field Coach Scott Holland. “Julianne worked hard and was willing to try several events. We’re very proud of her.”

Malek is a high honor roll student and a Cooper Pioneer, meaning she has attended the independent, college preparatory school continuously since kindergarten. In the fall, she will play volleyball for Washington University in St. Louis, MO and will pursue a degree in business.

“Julianne has been a strong part of our volleyball program since middle school and a huge asset to our varsity squad,” said Jim “Smoki” Richardson, Cooper’s head girls’ volleyball coach. “Julianne is a leader; she leads by her actions and the other players rally around her. She brought excitement to the court with some of her amazing kills and the team loved it. You would not be able to tell by watching Julianne, but she is a very humble player.”

Male Athlete of the Year, senior Pedro Nasta has been burning up the track and the cross country course at Cooper since eighth grade. In cross country, he made conference history by capturing his fourth consecutive SPC individual championship leading his team to a second place finish. He was the team’s Most Valuable Runner and captured first place honors at Friday Night Lights, Cooper Dragon Invitational, Nike South Invitational Elite Division and SPC South Zone. He was a finalist for the Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete award for boys’ cross country and was the KPRC Start Athlete of the Week representing cross country.

On the track, Nasta was the SPC champion in the 3200m and the 1600m. He was the 1600m champion at the Texas Relays, the Oak Ridge Invitational, and the Maverick Relays, where he was named Most Outstanding Athlete. He was the 3200m champion at the Woodlands Invitational and 800m Champion at the Dick Phillips Relays. His relay team set a school record in the 4x800m Relay at the Nick Finnegan Spring Invitational.

This is Nasta’s second time to be honored as Cooper’s Male Athlete of the Year. He received the same accolade in 2012. An honor roll student and Cooper Pioneer, Nasta is also the Chair of Charity and Service for the Student Government Association (SGA). He will run for The University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

“Pedro will be greatly missed. He has been a tremendous part of our program,” said Holland, who coached Nasta on the track and in cross country. “Pedro is a fierce competitor, yet a gentle and humble soul who cares as much about his team’s success as his own. He is greatly respected by teammates, as well as coaches and runners from opposing schools. After a race he is regularly congratulated by his competitors.”

The John Cooper School Leadership Award

“This award, sponsored by the Cooper Booster Club and selected by the athletic department, recognizes the senior boy and/or girl who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, sportsmanship, citizenship, competitive spirit and dedication as a varsity athlete at The John Cooper School,” said Mike Cooper.

Female Leadership Award winner, senior Muna Uzodike, is the captain of the girls’ basketball team and earned All South Zone and All SPC honors. Uzodike was also a finalist for the Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete award for girls’ basketball. A high honor roll student, Uzodike was the Secretary of the SGA and Activities Chair of Cooper’s Upper School Student Diversity Committee. Active in student performances, Uzodike was the recipient of a 2015 Tommy Tune Award for Best Supporting Actress. She will attend Rice University in Houston in the fall.

Senior Christian Jones is the male recipient of the Leadership Award. Jones was a varsity tennis player all four years of high school, serving as team captain his senior year. He was also manager of the football team and the team’s videographer. On the tennis team, Jones earned All-South Zone and All-SPC honors and was the team’s Most Valuable Player. An honor roll student and Cooper Pioneer, Jones participates in the school’s Habitat for Humanity project and is active in his church. Jones will attend Texas A&M University at Galveston in the fall.