200SPRING ATHLETICS GAME MONN Dual-sport athlete Cooper Monn splits her time between the track and field and volleyball teams. TWO-TIME CHAMP Senior Cooper Monn poses on the Ted Lloyd Track. Monn earned championships in two sports during her collegiate career. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall SENIOR COOPER MONN REPRESENTED Harding University for both the Lady Bison track and field team and the Lady Bison volleyball team during her time at Harding. Monn competed in the discus, shot put, hammer, weight and javelin events for the track and field team, while also playing right side and middle blocker for the volleyball team. Monn said participating in both sports was an enriching experience relationally and athletically. “I have made a lot of great friends that I probably never would have made if I had not been on both teams,” Monn said. “Also, both sports are mainly focused on being explosive, so both help me stay in shape for the other.” Participating in two sports at the collegiate level was not without its challenges. Monn said that managing her time, keeping up with school and working through scheduling conflicts were some of the biggest struggles as a dual-sport athlete. According to head volleyball coach Meredith Fear, Monn split her time during the year and sacrificed valuable offseason time that would typically be dedicated to specific player development and improvement. However, Monn said that both of her coaches were supportive and helped her navigate through any challenges that arose. “It is so rare, so unique and so exciting for [Monn] to go out there and succeed and win championships in two sports,” Fear said. “She has had to miss some volleyball things along the way, but overall, it’s definitely been worth it for both of us.” Monn sometimes wondered how skilled she could have been if she had focused on one sport. Despite the challenges, she would not change her decision to be a dual-sport athlete. Fellow track and field teammate sophomore Anna Kate Clark spoke to how Monn was an inspiration to her. “She is able to balance school and being an athlete so well,” Clark said. “The fact that she succeeds so well at two sports is incredible.” WRITTEN BY HAYLEY KATE WEBB
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