Photo Credit: Andrew Brown/MileSplit
---
The crowd held its breath as Elise Cooper exploded out of the blocks at the VA Showcase, her every stride a perfect blend of power and grace. By the time she crossed the finish line, the atmosphere inside the venue was electric - Cooper had just delivered one of the most sensational performances in high school track history.
2025 VA SHOWCASE COVERAGE:
LIVE STREAM | VIDEO | RESULTS | PHOTOS
Clocking an incredible 36.96, Cooper tied for the U.S. #3 all-time mark in the 300-meter dash, matching the legendary Francena McCorory. Only Shawnti Jackson (36.63) and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (36.82) rank ahead of her on the all-time list, cementing Cooper's place among the sport's most elite sprinters.
All-Time Fastest Girls 300m Times
Place | Runner | Time | Year |
1 | 36.63 | 2023 | |
2 | 36.82 | 2017 | |
T-3 | 36.96 | 2006 | |
T-3 | 36.96 | 2025 | |
5 | 36.97 | 2024 |
Her victory was nothing short of commanding, winning her race by over a second in a display of sheer dominance. This performance wasn't just fast-it was groundbreaking. Cooper's time shattered her previous personal best of 37.32, set at the Ocean Breeze Elite Invitational in 2024, by an impressive 0.36 seconds.
Place | Runner | Time |
1 | 36.96 | |
2 | 38.19 | |
3 | 38.38 | |
4 | 38.47 | |
5 | 38.69 |
Perhaps most remarkable, Cooper's achievement places her in an exclusive club as just the fifth girl in history to break the 37-second barrier in the 300m. Her performance wasn't just a race-it was a statement, a testament to her relentless work and undeniable talent.
Elise Cooper's run at the VA Showcase will be remembered as a defining moment in her career and a milestone in high school track and field. With her name now etched among the legends of the sport, the sky is the limit for this rising star.