Player of the Year: Cross Country / Track & Field
Tragedy strikes North Dakota XC community
March, 26, 2012
Mar 26
2:48
PM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
The ESPNHS team that administers the Gatorade Player of the Year Program would like to extend our condolences to the family of Robyn Essler, a Gatorade North Dakota Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year finalist this past fall.
The 15-year-old Garrison (N.D.) freshman was reportedly killed in a car crash Thursday afternoon near her hometown, according to local NBC affiliate KFYR-TV.
Essler captured the Class B individual state championship this past season, covering the 4K course with a time of 14:52.60. She also won the Class B West Regional meet, establishing herself as one of the state's premier running talents along with two-time reigning Gatorade North Dakota Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year Tarin Lachowitzer.
Essler maintained an A average in the classroom and participated in both her school's band and choir. In addition to donating her time as a youth basketball instructor, she also volunteered extensively on behalf of her church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America and several local festivals.
She lived the Gatorade program's three pillars of athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.
The 15-year-old Garrison (N.D.) freshman was reportedly killed in a car crash Thursday afternoon near her hometown, according to local NBC affiliate KFYR-TV.
Essler captured the Class B individual state championship this past season, covering the 4K course with a time of 14:52.60. She also won the Class B West Regional meet, establishing herself as one of the state's premier running talents along with two-time reigning Gatorade North Dakota Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year Tarin Lachowitzer.
Essler maintained an A average in the classroom and participated in both her school's band and choir. In addition to donating her time as a youth basketball instructor, she also volunteered extensively on behalf of her church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Farmers of America and several local festivals.
She lived the Gatorade program's three pillars of athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.
Zeinasellassie captures BXC National ROY
January, 26, 2012
Jan 26
11:55
AM ET
By Chad Konecky | ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- The time-honored adage of student-becomes-master took on a new hue Thursday morning as two-time U.S. Olympian Dathan Ritzenheim posed as a pupil at North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) before popping up from his desk chair to surprise Panthers senior Futsum Zeinasellassie (FOOT-sum Zen-ih-sal-ahsee) with the 2011-12 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year trophy.
“It was just a normal Thursday and then Dathan Ritzenheim was standing there,” said Zeinasellassie. “I never thought I would win an award this big. Unbelievable. I’m in shock. On behalf of distance runners everywhere , I thank Gatorade and ESPNHS.”
The 5-foot-8, 134-pound Zeinasellassie raced to the Nike Cross Nationals Final championship this past season with a course-record time of 15:02.41. He broke the tape at the NXN Midwest Regional championships (15:42.8) as well as the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships (14:58). Zeinasellassie finished second at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships with a time of 14:52.1.
Susan Goldman/GatoradeFutsum Zeinasellassie raises his Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year trophy.“He was completely shocked,” said Ritzenhein, the former American record-holder in the 5,000-meter run who twice earned Gatorade Michigan Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors from 1999-01. "He had no idea I wasn’t a normal kid in his class. That was awesome. He's super nice and really deserves this.”
Ritzenheim narrowly missed qualification for the 2012 Summer Games at this month’s U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing in fourth place and just eight seconds off the pace that would have earned a berth. The 29-year-old is a three-time USA 12K Cross Country champion and represents America’s brightest hope for a medal in the 5K or 10K in London.
The 2003 NCAA Cross Country Champion at the University of Colorado, Ritzenheim twice won Foot Locker nationals as a prep star for Rockford (Mich.).
Seidel races to GXC National ROY honors
January, 24, 2012
Jan 24
10:19
AM ET
By Chad Konecky | ESPN.com
HARTLAND, Wis. -- A champion alpine ski racer, a gifted ukulele player, a sailing instructor, an undefeated national cross country champion: Molly Seidel’s resume reads more like Wonder Woman’s than a high school senior.
Tuesday morning, the University Lake School (Hartland, Wis.) teen added another line-item to her bio when 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials winner Shalane Flanagan handed her the 2011-12 Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year trophy.
"This award is so cool," said Flanagan, who earned Gatorade Massachusetts Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year honors in 1999-2000. "Look at the names on this trophy. So many amazing athletes. Legends. Congratulations to Molly."
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Griffin Lee
THE BASICS
School: John Carroll Catholic (Birmingham, Ala.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Lee raced to the Class 5A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:13.11, leading the Cavaliers to third place as a team. A three-time All-State selection, he also won the Mobile Cross Country Challenge of Champions in 16:27.70. He captured second place at the 2010 Class 5A state meet as a sophomore and finished seventh in 2009 as a freshman.
Academic excellence: Also a basketball, baseball and track standout, Lee has maintained a 3.56 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Spanish Honor Society and his school’s Honors Choir, he has volunteered on behalf of his church, a camp for children diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and the American Baseball Foundation’s Baseball & Academic Skills Instructional Course (B.A.S.I.C.).
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Griffin Lee
THE BASICS
School: John Carroll Catholic (Birmingham, Ala.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Lee raced to the Class 5A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:13.11, leading the Cavaliers to third place as a team. A three-time All-State selection, he also won the Mobile Cross Country Challenge of Champions in 16:27.70. He captured second place at the 2010 Class 5A state meet as a sophomore and finished seventh in 2009 as a freshman.
Academic excellence: Also a basketball, baseball and track standout, Lee has maintained a 3.56 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of the Spanish Honor Society and his school’s Honors Choir, he has volunteered on behalf of his church, a camp for children diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and the American Baseball Foundation’s Baseball & Academic Skills Instructional Course (B.A.S.I.C.).
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Miles Knotek
THE BASICS
School: Seward (Alaska)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Knotek raced to the Class 1-2-3A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:23, leading the Seahawks to third place as a team. He also won the Region 3 Championship meet, the Seward Invitational, the Nikisi Class Races and the ACS Class Challenge. He placed second at the Skyview Invitational.
Academic excellence: Knotek has maintained a 3.96 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A peer tutor at his school, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth track programs and a community garden project.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Miles Knotek
THE BASICS
School: Seward (Alaska)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Knotek raced to the Class 1-2-3A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:23, leading the Seahawks to third place as a team. He also won the Region 3 Championship meet, the Seward Invitational, the Nikisi Class Races and the ACS Class Challenge. He placed second at the Skyview Invitational.
Academic excellence: Knotek has maintained a 3.96 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A peer tutor at his school, he has volunteered locally on behalf of youth track programs and a community garden project.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Bernie Montoya
THE BASICS
School: Cibola (Yuma, Ariz.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Montoya raced to the Division 1 individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:46.74. He won the Desert Twilight Festival, the Sole Sports Running Zone Festival, the Central Park Invitational and the Cibola Invitational. He also finished 12th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final with a time of 15:39.01.
Academic excellence: Montoya has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Bernie Montoya
THE BASICS
School: Cibola (Yuma, Ariz.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Montoya raced to the Division 1 individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:46.74. He won the Desert Twilight Festival, the Sole Sports Running Zone Festival, the Central Park Invitational and the Cibola Invitational. He also finished 12th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final with a time of 15:39.01.
Academic excellence: Montoya has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
Arkansas Boys XC ROY: Will Aenchbacher
January, 23, 2012
Jan 23
5:47
AM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Will Aenchbacher
THE BASICS
School: Bentonville (Ark.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Aenchbacher raced to the Class 7A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:24, leading the Tigers to the Class 7A title as a team. A 2011 First Team All-State selection, he earned 13th place and was the fastest Arkansas competitor at the Nike Cross Nationals South Regional championships, crossing the line in 16:02.85.
Academic excellence: Aenchbacher has maintained a 3.71 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, he has volunteered locally on behalf of multiple community service initiatives in association with the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Will Aenchbacher
THE BASICS
School: Bentonville (Ark.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Aenchbacher raced to the Class 7A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:24, leading the Tigers to the Class 7A title as a team. A 2011 First Team All-State selection, he earned 13th place and was the fastest Arkansas competitor at the Nike Cross Nationals South Regional championships, crossing the line in 16:02.85.
Academic excellence: Aenchbacher has maintained a 3.71 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community, he has volunteered locally on behalf of multiple community service initiatives in association with the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Darren Fahy
THE BASICS
School: La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Fahy raced to the Division 2 individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:03, leading the Mavericks to fourth place as a team. He won the Foot Locker West Regional championship in 15:29.0 and finished 17th at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. He also had victories at the Mt. Carmel Invitational, the Stanford Invitational and the Mt. Sac Invitational.
Academic excellence: Fahy has maintained a 3.74 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community and a summer youth track coach, he has volunteered locally making skateboards for underprivileged children.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Darren Fahy
THE BASICS
School: La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Fahy raced to the Division 2 individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:03, leading the Mavericks to fourth place as a team. He won the Foot Locker West Regional championship in 15:29.0 and finished 17th at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships. He also had victories at the Mt. Carmel Invitational, the Stanford Invitational and the Mt. Sac Invitational.
Academic excellence: Fahy has maintained a 3.74 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community and a summer youth track coach, he has volunteered locally making skateboards for underprivileged children.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Ty Williams
THE BASICS
School: Telluride (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Williams raced to his third consecutive Class 1A-2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:26.03, leading the Miners to fourth place as a team. He also won the St. Vrain Invitational, the Ron Keller Invitational, the Delta Invitational and the Region 4 championship. He was 12th at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Williams has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally assisting the elderly and has served as president of his county’s 4-H club.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Ty Williams
THE BASICS
School: Telluride (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Williams raced to his third consecutive Class 1A-2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:26.03, leading the Miners to fourth place as a team. He also won the St. Vrain Invitational, the Ron Keller Invitational, the Delta Invitational and the Region 4 championship. He was 12th at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Williams has maintained a 3.30 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally assisting the elderly and has served as president of his county’s 4-H club.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Connor Rog
THE BASICS
School: Fairfield College Prep (Fairfield, Conn.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-7
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Rog raced to the Class LL individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:50, leading the Jesuits to the state title as a team. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, he also won the State Open Championships in 15:22 and finished second at the New England Cross Country Championships with a time of 15:27. He earned victories at the Wickham Park Invitational, the Wilton Invitational, the Woods Trail Run, the Jesuit Championships and the Southern Connecticut Conference Championships, and finished 18th nationally at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Academic excellence: Rog has maintained a 3.20 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: Also a talented musician, he has volunteered on behalf of a local nursing home and participated in a service-mission trip to help disabled children in Jamaica.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Connor Rog
THE BASICS
School: Fairfield College Prep (Fairfield, Conn.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-7
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Rog raced to the Class LL individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:50, leading the Jesuits to the state title as a team. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, he also won the State Open Championships in 15:22 and finished second at the New England Cross Country Championships with a time of 15:27. He earned victories at the Wickham Park Invitational, the Wilton Invitational, the Woods Trail Run, the Jesuit Championships and the Southern Connecticut Conference Championships, and finished 18th nationally at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
Academic excellence: Rog has maintained a 3.20 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: Also a talented musician, he has volunteered on behalf of a local nursing home and participated in a service-mission trip to help disabled children in Jamaica.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Sam Parsons
THE BASICS
School: The Tatnall School (Wilmington, Del.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Parsons raced to the Division II individual state championship this past season with a course-record time of 15:34.73, leading the Hornets to first place as a team. The Victor A. Zwolak Award recipient as the state’s top runner, he placed sixth at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional championships in 15:28.10 and 67th at the NXN Final in 16:10.43. A three-time All-State selection, he took third at the 2010 Division II state meet as a junior and finished fifth in 2009 as a sophomore.
Academic excellence: Parsons has maintained a 3.01 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of his school’s strategic games club and head of the Young Republican National Federation chapter, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a food bank, the Special Olympics, Amnesty International and Shoes 2 Share.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Sam Parsons
THE BASICS
School: The Tatnall School (Wilmington, Del.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Parsons raced to the Division II individual state championship this past season with a course-record time of 15:34.73, leading the Hornets to first place as a team. The Victor A. Zwolak Award recipient as the state’s top runner, he placed sixth at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional championships in 15:28.10 and 67th at the NXN Final in 16:10.43. A three-time All-State selection, he took third at the 2010 Division II state meet as a junior and finished fifth in 2009 as a sophomore.
Academic excellence: Parsons has maintained a 3.01 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of his school’s strategic games club and head of the Young Republican National Federation chapter, he has volunteered locally on behalf of a food bank, the Special Olympics, Amnesty International and Shoes 2 Share.
Washington D.C. Boys XC ROY: Mike Crozier
January, 23, 2012
Jan 23
5:42
AM ET
By Ben Rohrbach | ESPN.com
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Mike Crozier
THE BASICS
School: Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Crozier finished 13th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final this past season, with a time of 15:41. He won the Maryland/D.C. Private School championship in 15:58 and earned victories at the Mercersburg Invitational, the Salesianum Invitational and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championships. He also finished second at the Jesuit Championships and fourth at the NXN Southeast Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Crozier has maintained a 3.88 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of his school’s student council, he has volunteered as a peer tutor and on behalf of local food drives.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Mike Crozier
THE BASICS
School: Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-10
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Crozier finished 13th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final this past season, with a time of 15:41. He won the Maryland/D.C. Private School championship in 15:58 and earned victories at the Mercersburg Invitational, the Salesianum Invitational and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championships. He also finished second at the Jesuit Championships and fourth at the NXN Southeast Regional championships.
Academic excellence: Crozier has maintained a 3.88 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: A member of his school’s student council, he has volunteered as a peer tutor and on behalf of local food drives.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Andres Arroyo
THE BASICS
School: Colonial (Orlando, Fla.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Arroyo raced to the Class 4A individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:13.74, leading the Grenadiers to the state title as a team. He also won the Little Everglades Pre-State Meet, the Metro East Championships, the District 4 Championships and the Region 1 Championships.
Academic excellence: Arroyo has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: Also a baseball standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of charity running events.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Andres Arroyo
THE BASICS
School: Colonial (Orlando, Fla.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-8
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Arroyo raced to the Class 4A individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:13.74, leading the Grenadiers to the state title as a team. He also won the Little Everglades Pre-State Meet, the Metro East Championships, the District 4 Championships and the Region 1 Championships.
Academic excellence: Arroyo has maintained a B average in the classroom.
Exemplary character: Also a baseball standout, he has volunteered locally on behalf of charity running events.
A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2011 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Josh Brickell
THE BASICS
School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Brickell raced to a second consecutive Class AAAAA individual state championship with a time of 15:40.68 this past season, leading the Lions to fifth place as a team. Also the Runner of the Year as named by the Gwinnett Daily Post, he placed fourth at the Foot Locker South Regional championships in 14:41 and eighth at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 15:24.2. He finished 25th at the 2010 Foot Locker South Regional championships as a sophomore.
Academic excellence: Also a track standout, Brickell has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on behalf of his church’s youth group, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society.
For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Josh Brickell
THE BASICS
School: Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-11
THE PILLARS
Athletic achievement: Brickell raced to a second consecutive Class AAAAA individual state championship with a time of 15:40.68 this past season, leading the Lions to fifth place as a team. Also the Runner of the Year as named by the Gwinnett Daily Post, he placed fourth at the Foot Locker South Regional championships in 14:41 and eighth at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships in 15:24.2. He finished 25th at the 2010 Foot Locker South Regional championships as a sophomore.
Academic excellence: Also a track standout, Brickell has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on behalf of his church’s youth group, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society.