Willow Spring sophomore Joshua Cooper broke Chantz Sawyers 500m State Record of 1:02.10 from 2017 at the Millrose Games running 1:01.92 to place third overall!
Cooper ran 1:03.38 two weeks ago at JDL Fast Track where he moved to NC#4 All-Time Indoors behind only banked track performances. He faced off in a field with National Record Holder in the event Andrew Salvodon (TX) who ran 1:00.49 at the VA Showcase and Jonathan Simms (TX) who holds indoor seasons best of 20.95 and 46.35 and has run 45.12 outdoors for 400m.
Cooper started in lane 4 with Salvodon and Simms on his outside in lane 5 and 6. He was able to get to the break line in 3rd place behind the two and hold his position over the remainder of the race.
His mark is also good for US#3 All-Time for sophomores only behind Olympic Gold medalist Quincy Wilson who ran 1:01.27 in 2024 and Tyrese Cooper who ran 1:01.88 in 2017 in the same race where Sawyers initially set the State Record before breaking again later in the season. The mark also will rank US#7 All-Time Indoors per the MileSplit database.
Cooper had a phenomenal freshman year with outdoor personal best of 48.29 for 400m, 1:52.66 for 800m and ran 1:05.83 for the 500m indoors.
He'll compete next Saturday at the NCHSAA 4A State Championship where he'll look to win his first of potentially many State Championships over the next three years.
North Carolina All-Time 500m State Rankings
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:01.92 | 2027 | 117th Millrose Games3rd F | |
| 2 | 1:02.10 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 1:02.69 | 2024 | The VA Showcase2nd F | |
| 4 | 1:02.80 | 2006 | ||
| 5 | 1:03.48 | 2009 | ||
| 6 | 1:03.62 | 2024 | The VA Showcase3rd F | |
| 7 | 1:03.65 | 2009 | ||
| 8 | 1:03.78 | 2024 | The VA Showcase3rd F | |
| 9 | 1:03.80 | 2023 | The VA Showcase2nd F | |
| 10 | 1:04.00 | 2024 |