University of North Carolina Athletics
2026 Baseball Roster
vs
Virginia
Mar 6 (Fri)
4 PM
Jersey Number 1
Cooper Nicholson
- Position:
- INF
- B/T:
- R/R
- Height:
- 5-11
- Weight:
- 195
- Class:
- Junior
- Hometown:
- West Des Moines, Iowa
- High School:
- Dowling Catholic HS
AT IOWA CENTRAL CC (2024-2025)
• Hit .343 in his 121 career games at the junior college level, racking up 41 home runs, 32 doubles, and 132 RBIs.
• Named the ICCAC Player of the Year as a freshman after leading the league in hits, home runs, and total bases while finishing with the second most home runs in the country.
• Two-time NJCAA All-American, earning second team in 2024 and third team in 2025.
• Set the program record for single-season home runs with 21 in 2025.
• Also holds the program career records for ABs (431), runs scored (164), home runs (41), and RBIs (132).
• Hit for the cycle as a freshman in an 11-10 win over Indian Hills CC.
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played both football and baseball for Dowling Catholic.
• Named his schools Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
• Two-time first team all-state honoree in baseball.
• Two-time all-state award winner for football as well.
PERSONAL
• Son of Deb and Eddie Nicholson.
• Has one younger brother, Carter.
• Mom played softball at Mankato.
• Likes to wakeboard and ski in the winter.
• Why UNC? – “What stood out to me most was the culture at UNC Baseball and the way the program goes about everything with a purpose. On my visit, the coaches were incredible, and I immediately knew they were the kind of people I’d want to be coached by. UNC has a background of winning and growing up 2 hours away from Omaha, I always dreamed of playing in Omaha and coming to UNC I knew I would have a great opportunity.”
• Hit .343 in his 121 career games at the junior college level, racking up 41 home runs, 32 doubles, and 132 RBIs.
• Named the ICCAC Player of the Year as a freshman after leading the league in hits, home runs, and total bases while finishing with the second most home runs in the country.
• Two-time NJCAA All-American, earning second team in 2024 and third team in 2025.
• Set the program record for single-season home runs with 21 in 2025.
• Also holds the program career records for ABs (431), runs scored (164), home runs (41), and RBIs (132).
• Hit for the cycle as a freshman in an 11-10 win over Indian Hills CC.
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played both football and baseball for Dowling Catholic.
• Named his schools Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
• Two-time first team all-state honoree in baseball.
• Two-time all-state award winner for football as well.
PERSONAL
• Son of Deb and Eddie Nicholson.
• Has one younger brother, Carter.
• Mom played softball at Mankato.
• Likes to wakeboard and ski in the winter.
• Why UNC? – “What stood out to me most was the culture at UNC Baseball and the way the program goes about everything with a purpose. On my visit, the coaches were incredible, and I immediately knew they were the kind of people I’d want to be coached by. UNC has a background of winning and growing up 2 hours away from Omaha, I always dreamed of playing in Omaha and coming to UNC I knew I would have a great opportunity.”
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Monday, March 02
2026 Tar Heel Trailblazer On-Court Recognition: Hubert West
Monday, March 02
Honoring the 2026 Tar Heel Trailblazers - Martina Ballen & Hubert West
Monday, March 02
UNC Baseball: Tar Heels Complete Sweep of Le Moyne with 21-1 Win in Game 3
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