Former Owl flying to new heights
Auston Cooper, far left, jumps to try to block a field goal attempt.
True freshman Auston Cooper has been playing for the Geneva College (Pa.) football team.
The Anderson-Shiro High School graduate said he is a starter on the field goal block team and a backup on the punt and kickoff units. He played in two of the first four games (0-4).
Cooper was recruited by Division II and Division III schools, he said, though most didn’t have his engineering major. Division III Geneva did, however, and he said he made an official visit in February. “It helped that they were a Christian school,” he said.
He was recruited to play wide receiver and eventually move to tight end.
But the 6-foot-5 Cooper gained 15 pounds during the summer and said he is playing at 200 pounds. “I was trying to stay in the weight room to put on some weight,” he said.
He has been playing tight end behind a senior who is a returning starter.
Though he didn’t have any passes thrown to him in the two games he played, he has been a blocker the rare times he has lined up as a tight end.
“Mainly to have an extra blocker,” he said. “They liked how I played out of a three-point stance.”
Most of his repetitions have been on special teams. In addition to trying to block field goal attempts, he blocks opponents so that they do not block Geneva’s punts and is a gunner on kickoffs.
Men’s rodeo
Anderson-Shiro product McCoy Profili and his brother, McCray Profili, each earned $1,060.08 by placing second in team roping at the Natchitoches Parish rodeo. As of Oct. 2, heeler McCoy ranked eighth and header McCray, who attended Anderson-Shiro, was 12th in their respective Louisiana Rodeo Cowboy Association team roping standings.
Navasota High graduate Jaylyin Minor won the steer wrestling at the San Augustine rodeo. He earned $907.90, according to the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association.
Former Owl Rance Imhoff of Clarendon College finished fourth in team roping header at the Sul Ross State event.
Women’s volleyball
Sophomore middle blocker Ahna Merrell had six kills and four blocks for Coastal Bend College against Victoria. The Anderson-Shiro alumna added one dig.
Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.