When Karina Cooper was a kid, her mom took her to a professional track meet. Ever since seeing the pole vaulters compete, she knew that she had to try it as well.

“That was my first introduction to the sport,” Cooper said. “So when I got to high school, that was exactly what I wanted to do.”

Cooper, a senior at Camas High School (CHS), started track at Skyridge Middle School in sixth grade, competing in the long jump and high jump. But most of her focus through middle school and the first two years of high school was on gymnastics. It was not until her junior year, when she joined a club team, that pole vault became a priority.

Cooper faced several injuries throughout her athletic career, the worst being when she tore her meniscus during her junior year. Cooper recalled how difficult being injured was — both physically and mentally. However, her passion for the sport, along with continued support from her family, coaches, and physical therapists, is what ultimately got her through.

“Thinking about my ‘why’ really helped,” Cooper said. “Just always trying to think about the reason I’m doing this.”

Following her injury, Cooper did not just recover — she came back with renewed ambition. After a second-place finish at the WIAA 4A state meet her junior year, Cooper had two goals in mind: vaulting over 13 feet and winning state champion. 

She did exactly that, not only vaulting over 13 feet to win the state title, but also setting the Washington state meet record with a jump of 13 feet, 2 inches. 

Throughout it all, her coach, Dan Kielty, has been by her side. 

“She sets the highest standard for working,” Kielty said. “She has a vision of where she is going and will go to work every day to achieve that goal.”

When not competing, Cooper proves that her talents include more than just pole vault. She also exemplifies leadership on the team.

“Karina is a great teammate,” Kielty said. “She’s constantly lifting up the people around her…she shows how one can work hard and have fun at the same time.”

Now that Cooper is officially a CHS graduate, she plans on attending Utah State University. She will continue competing in pole vault and plans on majoring in mechanical engineering.

“I’m definitely a math and science-based person,” Cooper said.

Looking back on her high school experience, it is not just the records or medals that stand out, but the memories as well.

“Some of my best memories are on the track with my team,” Cooper said. “We all push each other.”

With CHS now behind her, Cooper has one piece of advice to give to her freshman self.

“Just keep going at it,” she said. “Trust the process — and make sure you’re having fun, too.”