Northwest Girls Honored by Gatorade

January 12, 2012 5:57 PM

Kenai Central High School STANDOUT NAMED
GATORADE Alaska GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

CHICAGO (January 12, 2012) — In its 27^th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN HS, today announced Allie Ostrander of Kenai Central High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Alaska Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Ostrander is the first Gatorade Alaska Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Kenai Central High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Ostrander as Alaska’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Ostrander joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot freshman raced to the Region III championship this past season with a time of 18:07. Ostrander set course records while winning the Skyview Invitational, the Homer Invitational, the Colony Invitational and the Palmer Invitational.

Ostrander has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. A devoted member of her church youth group, she has volunteered on behalf of a local food bank and youth soccer programs.

“Allie has remained grounded, gracious and humble in the face of much success and expectation,” said Kenai head coach D’Anna Gibson. “She’s a well-rounded individual and she was voted hardest worker by her teammates.”

Ostrander will begin her sophomore year of high school this fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPN HS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Ostranderjoins Gatorade Alaska Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Jenette Northey (2010-11, Service High School), Kailey Wilson (2009-10, Kenny Lake School), Leah Francis (2008-09, Juneau-Douglas), and Leah Francis (2007-08, Juneau-Douglas) as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

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Bishop Kelly High School STANDOUT NAMED
GATORADE Idaho GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

CHICAGO (January 12, 2012) — In its 27^th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN HS, today announced Emily Nist of Bishop Kelly High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Idaho Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Nist is the first Gatorade Idaho Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from Bishop Kelly High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Nist as Idaho’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Nist joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot-6 senior raced to her third Class 4A individual state championship in four years this past season with a time of 18:34.98, leading the Knights to the state title as a team. A four-time First Team All-State selection, Nist earned 11th place at the Foot Locker West Regional championships, crossing the line in 18:41, and qualified for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, where she took 37th with a time of 18:35. She also placed 12th at the Nike Cross Northwest championships in 18:49.

Nist has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. A member of the National Honor Society, she has volunteered locally on behalf of the YMCA, the Ronald McDonald House and as an elementary school tutor.

“I have seen many examples of Emily Nist’s talent and have always been impressed by her diligence and perseverance,” said Bishop Kelly head coach Tom Shanahan. “From the outset, I worked closely with her on a day-to-day basis and I witnessed tremendous growth and development. Her teammates marvel at her work ethic, discipline, determination and courage.”

Nist has verbally committed to an athletic scholarship at Syracuse University beginning this fall.

Nistjoins Gatorade Idaho Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Kinsey Gomez (2010-11 & 2009-10, Coeur d'Alene High School), Liz Brandon (2008-09, Eagle), and Nicole Nielsen (2007-08, Borah) as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.

South Eugene High School STANDOUT NAMED
GATORADE Oregon GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Sara Tsai (middle) w Paige Kouba & Erin Clark

CHICAGO (January 12, 2012) — In its 27^th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN HS, today announced Sara Tsai of South Eugene High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Oregon Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Tsai is the first Gatorade Oregon Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from South Eugene High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Tsai as Oregon’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Tsai joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot freshman raced to second at the Class 6A state meet this past season with a time of 18:10, leading the Axemen to the state title as a team. Tsai then finished fifth at the Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional championships in 18:27.9 and was 15th at the NXN Final, clocking an 18:17. She also earned victories at the Special District 1 Championships and the Concordia Adidas Classic.

Tsai has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally on behalf of youth soccer programs and has served as part of her school’s student government.

“Sara’s talent is obvious, but her personality and demeanor are more significant to her long-term success,” said South Eugene head coach Jeff Hess. “She’s incredibly supportive of her teammates, but also completely focused on her own preparation and performance.”

Tsai will begin her sophomore year of high school this fall.

Tsaijoins Gatorade Oregon Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Annamarie Maag (2010-11 & 2009-10, Jesuit High School), and Taylor Wallace (2008-09 & 2007-08, Henley), as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.

North Central High School STANDOUT NAMED
GATORADE Washington GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Katie Knight leads the way at Border Clash

CHICAGO (January 12, 2012) — In its 27^th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN HS, today announced Katie Knight of North Central High School as its 2011-12 Gatorade Washington Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. Knight is the first Gatorade Washington Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from North Central High School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Knight as Washington’s best high school girls cross country runner. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced in January, Knight joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports, including Ryan Hall (1999-00, 2000-01, Big Bear HS, Calif.), Derek Jeter (1991-92, Kalamazoo HS, Mich.), Candace Parker (2001-02, Naperville Central HS, Ill.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.) and Mark Sanchez (2004-05, Mission Viejo HS, Calif.).

The 5-foot-6 junior raced to the Class 3A individual state championship this past season with a course-record time of 17:10.6. Knight also captured third at the Nike Cross Nationals Final in 17:45. She earned victories at the Bob Firman Invitational and the Nike Border Clash, and finished second at the NXN Northwest Regional championships in 17:58.1.

Knight has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally feeding needy families and has participated in a cleanup initiative at an area park.

“Katie is the most focused and dedicated runner I have ever helped coach,” said North Central High head coach Dempsey Ortega. “It’s rare to find such a gifted athlete who is willing to put in the time and effort to be the best and not just rely on pure talent.”

Knight will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

Knightjoins Gatorade Washington Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year Amy-Eloise Neale (2010-11 & 2009-10, Glacier Peak High School), Alyssa Andrews (2008-09, Gig Harbor), and Andrea Nelson (2007-08, Shadle Park) as athletes who have won the cross country award since its inception in 2007.