On the basketball court, on the mound or lining up a putt on the golf green, Cooper Hardison understands the importance of being mentally tough.
“Mental toughness is a definite requirement for success, that and hard work,” said the 2023 senior at Caney High School. “No matter what sport I’m playing, you have to stay in the moment. Don’t let the last play or swing affect the next one. Learn from your mistakes and make the next opportunity your best effort.”
Quiet and reserved, Cooper is a three-sport leader for the Caney Cougars. In basketball, the 6-foot-3 point guard averaged close to 17 points per game last year. On the baseball diamond, Cooper splits his duties on the pitching mound and at third base. A two-time state qualifier in golf, Cooper has earned a golf scholarship to USAO Chickasha where his career path includes earning a degree in business.
“All three sports require you to stay focused. Third base is the hot corner where you have to be ready to react and pitching you have to know the game situation before every throw. Golf requires golf skills as well mental toughness in order to play your best round,” Cooper said while noting that golf is his favorite sport and his low round score to date is seven under par 65 while playing at Atoka Trails.
“Going long off the tee is my strength,” said Cooper and confirming his driving average of 310 yards. “But just like in everyday life where doing the little things right the first time matter most, staying focused and getting the right read of the green helps my putting stroke. That’s where you can take strokes off your scorecard.”
