Player of the Year

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."

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A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Girls 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.

THE WINNER: Molly Seidel

THE BASICS

School: University Lake School (Hartland, Wis.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-4

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Seidel won the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships this past season, breaking the tape in 17:08. The 2011 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Area Runner of the Year, she also claimed first place at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championships with a winning time of 17:22. The four-time Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association First Team All-State selection completed an undefeated season this past fall and earned her fourth consecutive Division 3 individual state championship, joining three-time Olympian Suzy Favor-Hamilton as the only Wisconsin runners to ever win state cross country titles all four prep seasons. Seidel covered the 4K state championship course in 13:39.59, more than 40 seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor.

Academic excellence: Seidel has maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and is a National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist.

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The cross country season may have concluded, but the search for Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated. These state meet winners made a case in their respective classifications, but did they do enough on and off the course this past season to capture the prestigious statewide honor?

Molly Seidel
Senior, University Lake (Hartland, WI)

2011 Team postseason standing: Did Not Qualify (Division 3)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): First—13:39.59

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): First—17:08
2011 Foot Locker nationals (Place—time): First—17:22

Alexandria Fons
Sophomore, Franklin (WI)

2011 Team postseason standing: 19th (Division 1)
2011 State meet finish (Place—time): First—13:56.48

2011 Foot Locker regional (Place—time): Eighth—17:43
2011 Foot Locker nationals (Place—time): 15th—17:57

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