Getting to know Adelaide Cooke


Falmouth sophomore Adelaide is the defending Class A discus champion, she's ranked #1 in the state with a throw of 119-11. She also ranks #2 in Class A in the shot put,, and has qualifying marks in the javelin & 100m hurdles.


What are some things people might not know about Adelaide Cooke? Do you go by addy?

As for what people might not know about me, I'm not called addy but that doesn't mean my friends don't have ridiculous nicknames for me which range from normal "ads" to "hardo" by the rest of the throwers. I also consider the throwing area at falmouth to be one of my favorite spots on earth just because of all the memories i have there. I'm lucky to have the greatest teammates there ate and we have a blast while practicing. There isn't a throwing day that isn't boring or that we aren't cracking up by the end of it.

How did you get into the throws?

With shot put, I started when I was ten through USATF. It was getting to the end of the season and my coach suggested I give the shot put a try because I was tall and strong for my age. I ended up loving it and was lucky to improve quickly. Discus on the other hand, I didn't start until I was in the 6th grade. One of my my teammates Kiersten, who is actually graduating this year, dragged me a long one practice because the middle school coach was making her try it. I guess you could say i didn't like it at first, but then it grew on me, and today it's definitely my favorite event.

Do you remember your first meet?

I do. I was ten again. My parents, who probably come to 99% of my sporting events, weren't there and I was pretty nervous. I remember running the 100 and I think I long jumped and threw turbo jav as well. I didn't want to do track at first because I didn't really like running distance. I didn't realize there's so much more to it.

What's a typical throwing day like? What are the workouts for the week?

A typical throwing day would be a two lap warm up, sprint drills, and 20-30 throws depending on the day and what other events I'm doing that day. My weeks can get pretty crazy because my goal is to be a multi-event athlete in college. For most of the season, my week started on Sunday when I typically do a hurdle work out and another event, typically jav. Monday is a throwing day as well as a lifting day with the Falmouth jumps coach. Tuesday is sprints and sometimes hurdles with some possible throwing at the end. Wednesday is throwing and then lifting again. Thursday is the day before a meet so I work on some throwing footwork and then we visualize us competing the next day as a throwing team. Friday I compete and Saturday is my day of rest.

Why is the falmouth throwing circle your favorite?

I would say the throwing circle is my favorite mostly because of the fact that it's located away from the track in our own space of sorts. I always am relaxed down there. I could be having a really bad day, but between my teammates/friends, the area and the sport, ill end up feeling better.

You have a very strong bond with your teammates and are known for having a good time at practices, letting loose. What are the funniest stories you have?

As for a funny story, there's tons of them. My favorite would probably end up being one from last year when we were doing shot and we were talking about our favorite sports and said mine was track. Matt, one of my teammates said very seriously that track wasn't a sport. I must have been having a weird day because I ended up in a mix of crying and laughing. It's now an inside joke. It was one of those things you just had to be there.


You are the reigning Class A state champion in the discus, but also compete in the hurdles, and several other events. How important is it to be multi-dimensional?

Discus has always been one of my top priorities this season having the goal to win states again. However, its not part of the heptathlon which is unfortunate. With my other events, its just a matter to continue to improve in them so i can improve my overall score. I enjoy the variety. It keeps things interesting.

What was it like to win a state title your freshman year?

The state meet last year was incredible. I went in with the top seed which was nerve racking to begin with. Being a freshman though meant that there was no pressure. I just had to go out there and throw like I knew how. My best throw, I think was my first one, and I was just hoping the whole time no one would beat it and if they did would I be able to throw farther? When i realized I won, I don't think I really believed it. My teammates were all congratulating me so it must have happened. It ended being an awesome day.

Do you feel pressure to repeat in 2015?

I think since the end of last season I've felt the pressure to repeat. When i wasn't throwing well at the beginning of the season I was a bit worried, but the coach spent a lot of time with me fixing my spin and I managed to put it all together last week.

What specifically did you work on with your spin?

With my spin i needed to slow down. I have a habit of needing to be fast which is great with the 100, 200, or hurdles, but not so great in the discus circle. I was also doing a weird thing with my arm as well as not landing my feet in the right places.


Last week you threw a new state leading and season best of 119-11 at WMC: Cape Elizabeth, Greely, Yarmouth @ Falmouth.

Heading into the meet I'd had some really great practices where a lot of things were going right so I was pretty pumped to throw. Plus it was also a big meet because Greely was there and they have a thrower who I would consider to be one of my 'rivals.' When i was warming up from disc, the 100 hurdles was called so I went and ran that but i messed up my steps there so i came back to discus with a fire in my belly and ready to throw. My first throw I threw a personal best just over 111 so i got pretty excited about that. My second, I got everything that i'd been working on right which is what lead to my 119 throw. After that someone told me i had beaten the Greely girls throw and that I had the current best throw in the state, two things I couldn't and still can't believe. I'm really happy at the moment that I've managed to peak at the right time. I want to throw a bit more consistent but in the end, it only takes one throw.

How do you stay calm and relaxed before meets and in between events?

On the bus ride up to a meet I normally listen to music. Between that and hanging/joking around with my teammates keeps me calm. With four events I don't have a lot of time to be nervous. Its focus on one and then get to the next

What are the keys for you to repeat as state champ?

The keys for me are going to be staying relaxed and throwing like I know I'm capable of. What ever the outcome, I want to know I did everything I can. Besides discus I'm also going to be competing in shot put, 300 hurdles, and either javelin or 100 hurdles depending on how WMC's go this week.


Only a sophomore... what does the future hold for Adelaide Cooke?

I think for the most part I just want to keep getting better and enjoy myself while doing it. I think loving what you do it the most important thing when it comes to anything. Winning a few more state titles would be cool and maybe in events other than the discus. Hopefully, ill be able to continue to complete through college as well. For the most part i want to take my passion for the sport and just run with (no pun intended...) and see where i end up!


Cooke's Progression

Discus

  • 2015 Outdoor 119-11
  • 2014 Outdoor 107-3

Shot Put

  • 2015 Outdoor 37-3.5
  • 2014 Outdoor 30-5


Additional Information

Cooke's Milesplit Profile