Rise and Perform Scholarship Winner

Landon Cooper is the Rise and Perform Scholarship 2025 Recipient

When NOCCO and CrossFit Invictus announced their plan to offer a "Rise and Perform Scholarship" for the 2025 season, Miki Huguet, Senior Brand Manager from NOCCO, was uncertain about the reaction they would receive.

The Ask is Very Big for Someone to Move to San Diego

"We didn’t know how many people would apply," Huguet elaborated in an interview with the. "We were most shocked about the number of international athletes who applied — Brazilians, English, Italians, and more." The ask is very big for someone to move to San Diego, so we didn’t know what to expect.

The Rise and Perform Scholarship

The Rise and Perform scholarship was created earlier this year to fuel and support young athletes who demonstrate intense dedication to CrossFit with the goal of competing at a high level.

Finalist Selection

Huguet received many applications, and at the end of October, he sat down and began perusing them. The caliber of applicants was high, and decisions were difficult. After an initial round of cuts, he sent four applications to Martin and Invictus so they could start their process. Invictus dug deep into the applicants’ athletic backgrounds and success, looking at their Open rankings and competition experience. They selected two finalists.

The Final Interviews

Before they even arrived in San Diego, both finalists were incredibly grateful for the experience of a lifetime: being able to train with some of the best. Once they landed, the finalists headed straight to Invictus to start training and meet the crew. Huguet knew the team was onto something special when they jumped in head first.

Landon Cooper – Rise and Perform Scholarship 2025 Recipient

Landon Cooper, a firefighter in training from Las Vegas, NV, will move to San Diego on Jan. 2, 2025, to accept the Rise and Perform Scholarship. Cooper was a natural when he was visiting and integrated immediately into the Invictus team.

Conclusion

Winning the scholarship means so much to Cooper. He describes it: "It is such an incredible honor. It validates the hard work and dedication I’ve poured into my training and personal growth while motivating me to push even further. It’s not just about the recognition—it’s about the opportunity to represent what’s possible through determination and resilience."

Landon’s Goals

If you had told Cooper one year ago that he would be training next to Sam Dancer and Lauren Fisher, he would have called you crazy. However, the Rise and Perform Scholarship will foster not just athletic growth but also personal growth. This aspect of the opportunity is not lost on Cooper.

The Future Ahead

Cooper is ready to begin immediately, has already picked out an apartment in San Diego, and has even started moving a few items. "I’m ready to immerse myself in this journey, embrace every challenge, and learn from the experience. Going into every day with an intent to get better not only as an athlete but as a human," he said.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Rise and Perform Scholarship?
  The Rise and Perform scholarship is a program created by NOCCO and CrossFit Invictus to support young athletes who demonstrate intense dedication to CrossFit with the goal of competing at a high level.
• How many applicants did NOCCO and CrossFit Invictus receive?
  NOCCO and CrossFit Invictus received a large number of applications, including international athletes from countries such as Brazil, England, and Italy.
• What was the selection process like for the finalists?
  The selection process involved a thorough review of the applicants’ athletic backgrounds and success, as well as a final interview with the two finalists in San Diego.
• What are Landon Cooper’s goals for the future?
  Cooper plans to use the scholarship to refine his skills, expand his perspective, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals who share his passion for CrossFit. He also hopes to inspire others to chase their goals fearlessly.