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AHOSKIE – There’s gold in Cashmere Cooper’s past and present.

The fleet-footed athlete, who wore blue and gold during her time at Hertford County High School, will be featured in the identical colors now that she has accepted a scholarship from North Carolina Wesleyan University to continue her education and athletic careers at the Rocky Mount-based school.

Cooper made her intentions known at a jersey reveal party held June 28.

“I chose Wesleyan because it is close to home. It’s a good school with good coaches. I’m ready for the challenge, I want to be one of the best,” Cooper said after signing the scholarship.

Cooper experienced an award-winning career at Hertford County High School. As a junior, she and her teammates (Jada Lloyd, Jamiyah Valentine, and Gabby Hayes) won the 4×100 meter relay gold medal at the 2024 North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Class 2A Track and Field Championships held in Greensboro. That foursome had captured the silver medal in the same event in 2023.

In the 2025 state finals, HCHS placed eighth in the 4×100 relay and seventh in the 4×200 meter relay.

Along the way, Cooper has two conference titles to her credit, finished third in the conference in the 100 meter individual (outdoor) and first place (indoor) in the 55 meters.

She has also captured multiple medals while competing at the AAU level.

“She came to us in her freshman year with a lot of passion,” said Cooper’s high school coach Ben Anthony. “I know she’s going to miss running the stairs. But that paid off as she always came prepared to do her best. I could always rely on her giving her best.”

Dave Simpson, Cooper’s AAU coach, also shared high praise for his rising star.

“I’ve coached a lot of kids during my time. I’ve had over 600 scholarship athletes, but ‘Cash’ [Cooper’s nickname] is really one I really respect for doing it all…grades, training, and the competition. I’m happy for her,” Simpson said.

Cooper noted that she started running track at Hertford County Middle School.

“I didn’t take it seriously until I got to high school,” she said. “That’s when I began to grind it out in practice as I wanted to get to the top.”

In addition to running on Hertford County’s award-winning relay teams, Cooper also performed individually in the 100 and 200 meter events.

“That distance fits me,” Cooper stated.

When asked why she chose track, Cooper’s answer was simple.

“When I’m running I feel free; I have no worries. I feel at peace,” she said.

Her favorite athlete is Sha’Carri Richardson, who was part of the United States 4 x 100 relay team that captured the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and won the silver medal in the 100 meters (individual).

“She went from the bottom to the top. I like her tenacity,” Cooper said.

As for her upcoming career at Wesleyan, Cooper said she is ready for the challenge.

“They asked me what events I wanted to run and, of course, I said the 100, 200, and the relays. I think they also want me to run on their cross country team,” she noted.

To get to this particular stage of her young life, Cooper knows she has experienced a lot of love and support.

“I thank my mom and dad for pushing me,” Cooper said. “My brother also inspired me. He ran track here at Hertford County and was one of the best. I want to thank coach Dave, my AAU coach. He gave me opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise would have had. I thank coach [Ben] Anthony for pushing me and coach [Orrin] Gatling.

“The AAU competition also prepared me,” Cooper continued. “I got to compete against runners I don’t normally see at the high school events. There are people from all over competing at that level.”

And whatever competition she sees at the collegiate level, it’s certain that there’s gold in Cooper’s future.