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CLOPTON, continued from page 25
She's equally comfortable in midfield,
attack, or defense. Her prowess on the
draw, a critical aspect of lacrosse, is
a skill she has honed over the years.
Clopton attributes much of her lacrosse
knowledge and skills to her older sister,
who has been a guiding force in her
life.
Her strong background in swimming
and lacrosse laid the foundation for her
athletic journey. Her family's influence,
particularly her dad's love for lacrosse,
made her path clear from a young
age. She swam from the age of six,
nurturing her technique and stamina.
“I think a big part of playing lacrosse
was my family,” Clopton said. “I was
born in Maryland, where lacrosse is
huge. My dad grew up playing it too.”
Clopton isn't just an ace athlete. In
the classroom, she is just as impressive
- a hardworking student balancing
academic responsibilities and sports
commitments. She said that the secret
to her success lies in her disciplined
routine, which mirrors her sports
regimen. After school, she dedicates
herself to rigorous practice sessions and
games, often followed by early morning
training. This routine, she believes,
not only keeps her physically fit but
sharpens her focus academically.
“For me, the balance comes kind of
naturally,” Clopton said. “Sports has
helped me a lot with my academic
organization and having a set routine.
I make it a priority to create time for
my personal life as well. Being active
and having that time in my day helps
me focus.”
What truly makes Clopton
a remarkable student-athlete is
her strong sense of community
involvement. Being deeply engaged
in the school community has always
been a priority for her. Her teachers
are also her coaches, and she finds her
teammates in every nook and cranny of
the school. This passion for community
has driven her to be part of the student
council for four years, and she currently
serves as the president of the Anti-
Defamation League club. Her fellow
officers are some of her best friends
who, like her, are multi-sport female
athletes.
Clopton’s leadership qualities shine
brightly as she captains her teams in
all three sports during her senior year.
Her positive attitude and ability to stay
resilient even after a team loss set her
apart. She believes that her mistakes
only fuel her determination to improve.
“Leadership means not getting
frustrated and always trying your level
best,” Clopton said. “When I make
mistakes, usually my way of dealing
with it is just doubling down and
trying five times harder (so) that it
should never happen again.”
Support plays a vital role in
Clopton’s journey, and her parents have
been her pillars of strength, guiding
her through the college lacrosse
recruitment process. She secured a spot
on the UMass Lowell lacrosse team
earlier this year.
Outside of sports, Clopton enjoys
spending time with her friends, many
of whom are fellow athletes, whether
it’s watching movies, going to the
beach, or hitting the golf course.
Coco Clopton takes part in a practice relay
race, carefully bouncing a ball off her stick.
During the final practice
of the season, Coco Clopton
runs the ball down the field.
Coco Clopton is all smiles as she runs down
the field during field hockey practice.