Thomas Elkhoury is "Mr. John Cooper."
The senior is the first student-athlete in school history to be All-Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) in three sports – football, soccer and track.
He holds the school records in the 4x100, 200 and 400 relays; he's on the leadership counsel for the football team and is in the entrepreneur club.
Where does he find the time?
"My dad really stresses academics first and foremost," he said. "I have my time for sports, I come home and eat and get to my homework."
Elkhoury was born in Lebanon and lived in Japan before his parents moved to Midland, Texas and then Houston. So, he checks the box as "worldly" as well.
"My dad has worked with Schlumberger (oil and gas), so he's travelled the world," he said. "All of my family is back in Lebanon and we go there every summer. It's pretty cool to see different parts of the world and different cultures."
But back to the playing fields.
Elkhoury doubles as a receiver and defensive back on the football field; a striker on the pitch and runs relays and the 100-meters in track.
"My dad played basketball growing up and my mom played sports too," he said. "I have an older brother "Mikey" who I credit making me an athlete. He taught me how to be competitive at a young age because we were always playing against each other growing up."
The real question is, what is his favorite sport?
"Football, for sure," he said. "There is nothing like scoring a touchdown under the 'Friday Night Lights' and seeing the crowd go wild and your teammates storming the field. But, I love going to a smaller school where I can play multiple sports. I used to play baseball but the seasons overlapped too much."
The Dragons' football team had an historic season last year, reaching the SPC DII finals before falling to FW County Day. Several stars graduated, leaving Elkhoury to carry the banner.
"I'm excited to be one of the leaders this season," Elkhoury said, whose favorite player has always been former NFL RB Marion Barber. "There will be some new faces in different roles, who will need to step up. I think our coaches are going to use me a few different ways on offense."
Elkhoury received his first offer from Bates College and he's talking to some Ivy League schools.
"I'm a little late to the recruiting process," he said. "It's starting to get a little more active. If I'm not really interested in the college offers, I will go to college for business."
Elkhoury also led John Cooper School to a tremendous year in soccer in 2019.
"I played all over the field and can't remember how many goals I scored," he said. "It was a great season."
Did we mention that he also plays the piano?
What does this kid not do?
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
