The Gatorade Company with Collaboration from ESPN Rise has named senior Jacob Kirk (Grace Christian School) and sophomore Kailey Wilson (Kenny Lake School) Gatorade Players of the Year for Alaska.
The award is given to a player who not only shows excellence in their sport but also in the classroom. The athletes must also show strong character on and off the course.
Kirk placed second at the Skyview Invite and won the Wasilla Invitational. He also won the Alaska State Championships.
New to running and with no Cross Country team at Kenny Lake School, Wilson became a one person team running undefeated all season and winning the Alaska Cross Country State Championship. Wilson repeated as the Alaskan Cross Country State Champion this year with the fastest time of the day regardless of Division.