Aidan Troutner is at it again. Recently, the Timpview senior was awarded with the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year award. The selection process for this award is extremely meticulous and takes thousands of boys under consideration.
In every state, Gatorade gives the Player of the Year award to one boy and one girl from each of seven sports: football, volleyball, cross country, basketball, soccer, baseball, track and field. Troutner was awarded the Boys Cross Country 2017-2018 Player of the Year for Utah. After the state winners are chosen, only one of them is chosen for the national award. So of all the boys cross country runners in the country, and all the state winners, only one gets the national award. And that’s our very own Thunderbird, Troutner.
Considering Troutner’s successful season–an undefeated regular season and the winner of the national championship–this award may not come as a surprise. The award is not given solely on athletics, however. It also awarded based off academic excellence and exemplary character. Troutner is different from the rest in that not only is his running talent unparalleled, but he also maintains a 3.89 GPA, is enrolled in numerous AP classes, is a youth leader at his church, and volunteers at local organizations.
Gatorade Senior Vice President and General Manager Brett O’Brien said, “Aidan’s statistics on the trail speak for themselves, but even more impressive is the impact he has had on his teammates and the example he sets for younger student-athletes. Aidan represents everything we look to celebrate in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”
Previous Player of the Year winners include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and a continued extensive list of distinguished athletes. Troutner joins the ranks of the greatest athletes in history. Troutner said, “It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys.”
Last Tuesday, Troutner walked home for lunch and to his surprise found his backyard full of friends, family, teammates, and Gatorade officials. The following days were filled with photo shoots, interviews, and a school assembly. Gatorade released a video which can be viewed HERE.
The extent of this award entails a $1,000 donation given to a charity of Troutner’s choice. As a national winner, he also gets the opportunity to attend the ESPY Ceremonies in Los Angeles this July and is a nominee for the overall Male High School Player of the Year award. Unfortunately, Troutner will be unable to attend this exciting event. He is leaving on a two year LDS mission to Canada in June.
Troutner is looking forward to this Spring track season with many plans and goals in mind. After his mission, he will attend BYU to run on the cross country and track team.
