ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Cooper Maxwell

The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.

Two weeks ago, Cooper Maxwell captured the Class 3A-District 10 No. 1 singles title and earned an automatic berth in the state finals. The Lakewood Ranch senior followed up his district dominance with victories at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles in the regional semifinals April 20 versus Lakeland George Jenkins and at No. 1 singles in the regional finals April 22 versus Braden River.

Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week.

How did you get into tennis?
I was pretty much born into it. My dad has been playing all his life and I was hitting balls out on the court when I was in diapers. He got me into it as early as possible.

Is there a particular tennis player you admire?
When I was younger I always looked up to Marat Safin. He wasn’t always at the top, but I liked his attitude and the way he fought. I see myself as a younger version of him.

What are your plans for next year?
I’m going to Rollins College on a tennis scholarship, and I’m going to try and get my master’s degree in business. I want to eventually be a sports agent.

Are you from Florida originally?
No. I was born in Plymouth, Mass., but I lived in Cape Cod. I moved to Florida full-time in fourth grade.  

Do you have any siblings?
I have an older brother, Ben, who is 21 and attends Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

What’s your favorite TV show?
“Entourage.” I’ve seen every episode ever made, and I have all of them. It kind of reminds me of how my friends and I are.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Fiji. I like the feel of just the islands out there and being able to relax. I saw a picture a couple years ago, and ever since then, I’ve always wanted to go there and one day I’m going to.

What’s your favorite food?
Japanese. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.