Future Stars: Big-Time Weekend From These Four Underclassmen

Future Stars
Maxx Bradley


*Joshua Cooper is the third-fastest sophomore over 500m in national history

Photo Credit: Kyle Brazeil/MileSplit New York

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These four soon-to-be stars turned heads with their performances over the weekend, running some of the fastest times in the country this season and re-writing the record books as they went. 

This will certainly not be the last time you hear about these athletes over the next four years, so familiarize yourself with this quartet while you can.

Check out the next four 'Future Stars' of the indoor season. 

MORE MILESPLIT:

BOYS POTW | GIRLS POTW | BOYS MOST IMPROVED | GIRLS MOST IMPROVED 

JOSHUA COOPER

Willow Spring (N.C.)

Class of 2027

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The standout sophomore had a historic showing at the 117th Millrose Games, finishing third in the 500m in 1:01.92, the third-fastest showing by a sophomore in history. Cooper is just hundredths of a second shy of taking the No. 2 spot in history. Cooper finished behind a pair of stars in Andrew Salvodon (Bayside) and Jonathan Simms (Allen), and is now No. 7 in the 500m all-time. Cooper is no 5-1 in his primary indoor event this season. 

JANAE COLEMAN

Oak Park (Mich.)

Class of 2028

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The first indoor season of her high school career has been exceptional to say the least, recently finishing seventh in the 600m at the 117th Millrose Games. The Michigan-based freshman clocked 1:33.75, the second-fastest time amongst freshmen this year, behind her quicker performance from December (1:32.54). Coleman may run faster in her debut in December, but notched the top 500m time during her performance in New York, 1:16.00. She currently ranks No. 8 in the nation. 

JOHN CODY

Nansemond River (Va.)

Class of 2028

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At The 62nd East Coast Invitational, Cody opted for the 60m/500m double, winning the longer of the pair with a new PB. Cody clocked 1:05.37 for 500m, over a second and a half faster than his prior best of 1:06.93. Cody took down 60 other competitors, with no one finishing within a second of Cody in the other nine heats. For now, he's the fifth fastest freshman in U.S. history, and the top freshman this season. 

AYDRIANE BOWDEN

Kennett (Pa.)

Class of 2027

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Bowden's successful sophomore campaign hasn't missed a beat since she got things rolling in December. Last weekend, Bowden competed at both the Henderson Invitational and the PTFCA Indoor Track Carnival, winning the 60mH in 8.65 (PB) and 8.85. Bowden also won the 400m at the Henderson Invitational in 56.38 (PB), and finished runner-up in the 200m at the PTFCA Indoor Track Festival in 25.50, another PB. Bowden's busy weekend wasn't just highlighted by her wins, but also by her sophomore state record in the 60mH.