Appropriately, it was Pi Day—Wednesday, March 14—when Brian Copeland logged into the admissions website for the brainy Massachusetts Institute of Technology and got the message he was waiting for.
“’You have been accepted,’” Copeland said. “I was really happy when I first saw it.”
Copeland, who was a starting lineman for the Wildcats last fall, now gets his chance to play football with the MIT Beavers, while pursuing a degree in theoretical physics.
“It definitely takes off the weight of college—where will I go?” Copeland said. “Now it’s a new weight of paying for it, getting scholarships.”
Copeland’s sports skills are balanced by his academic achievements. His standing as a National Merit Finalist undoubtedly helped in MIT’s decision, as they only accept 7 percent of applicants. He is excited to have the opportunity to pursue his three loves, football, math and physics, and is grateful to all his teachers and coaches who helped make this journey possible.
The six-foot-two Copeland played right tackle for the Mount Si football team. Last fall, he focused on his assignments for every single play, protecting from defensive ends on pass plays, blocking his man on runs. At college, he’s pondering whether he’ll wind up as a guard for the Beavers.
Track thrower
In the meantime, Copeland’s keeping in condition on the Mount Si track team, where he is a fourth-year varsity hurler, showing others the ropes.
Putting the shot, Copeland took sixth at districts last year, one place away from state. He was an alternate to districts at discus.
“This year, I am definitely aiming for state,” the senior said.
“When I’m in practice, I’m trying to work on what the coaches are telling us to do,” he added. “When I’m competing, I’m thinking about throwing hard and far.”
This senior tells new Mount Si throwers to stick with it and improve their game.
“If this is their first year, getting better is the most important thing,” Copeland said. “If they make it to league, good for them… It’s basically improving and learning the basics, hopefully coming back next year, bolstering the team in future years.”
Copeland tests his field skills when Mount Si hosts Lake Washington and Sammamish on Thursday, March 29.
