CHICAGO, July 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In its
36th year of honoring the nation's most elite high
school athletes, Gatorade today announced Roisin Willis of Stevens Point Area Senior High
School (Stevens Point, Wis.) and
Hobbs Kessler of Skyline High School (Ann
Arbor, Mich.) are the 2020-21 Gatorade National Track and
Field Players of the Year. Willis and Kessler won the prestigious
award for their accomplishments on and off the field, joining an
impressive group of former winners. Past Gatorade National Girls
Track and Field Players of the Year have combined for 69 gold
medals and 34 National Championships, while past Gatorade National
Boys Track and Field Players of the Year have combined for 21 gold
medals and 14 National Championships.
Willis and Kessler were surprised by their family, coaches and
teammates at their respective schools. Check out videos of the
announcements: Willis and Kessler.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic
excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and
exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field,
distinguishes Willis and Kessler as the nation's best high school
track and field players. A national advisory panel comprised of
sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select our
winners from nearly half a million other student-athletes who
compete in track and field nationwide.
Competition for the national award was fierce. Willis topped the
list of state winners in girls track and field who collectively
boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including eight
reigning state Cross Country Gatorade Players of the Year, 26 with
signed Letters of Intent to compete on athletic scholarships at
Division I universities and 25 with a GPA of 4.0 and above. Kessler
surpassed the competition among state winners, which includes six
reigning state Gatorade Cross Country Players of the Year, 20 with
a GPA of 3.75 and above and 30 with signed Letters of Intent to
compete on athletic scholarships at Division I universities.
"Roisin Willis was a marvel
before the pandemic as a freshman and she showed that the lost
season of 2020 didn't throw her off stride," said Doug Binder, editor-in-chief of DyeStat.com.
"Willis was at the forefront of an elite high school movement in
the 800-meter event this season and was one of three prep girls to
qualify for the 2021 U.S. Trials. Her personal-best time this
spring shows that she's on her way to challenging the best
800-meter runners in the world."
The state's two-time returning Gatorade Girls Track & Field
Player of the Year, the 5-foot-11 junior Willis reached the
semifinal round of June's U.S. Trials in the 800-meter run. At the
time of her selection, Willis's top 800 time of 2:00.78 at the
Trials of Miles New York City Qualifier was an Under-18 world
record and ranked No. 1 nationally among 2021 prep competitors in
her event. Willis also set a state record in the 1,600-meter run
with a time of 4:41.46, which ranked No. 6 nationally, and her best
time of 53.62 in the 400-meter dash ranked No. 10 nationally. Only
three prep girls in history have clocked an 800 faster than the
Stevens Point teen.
An accomplished violin player, Willis performed holiday music
via Zoom for area assisted living centers during the pandemic. This
spring, she participated in a practice-a-thon fundraiser to raise
scholarship dollars for fellow music students. As a member of
National Honor Society, Roisin has helped prepare goodie bags and
thank you cards for hospital workers during the height of COVID-19.
She also participated in an NHS pen-pal program with
fourth-graders. In addition, she has volunteered on behalf of the
North Central Conservancy Trust, helping to clear a new multi-use
trail at Bukolt Park in Stevens
Point.
Willis has maintained a weighted 4.0 GPA in the classroom. She
will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
"Hobbs Kessler is one of those extremely rare runners who come
along perhaps once in a generation—like a Jim Ryun or an Alan
Webb," said Doug Binder,
editor-in-chief of DyeStat.com. "That's the company he keeps after
an amazing 2021 that saw him go from completely off the radar to
becoming a pro in the span of six months. His talents are of a type
that capture your imagination. He leaves high school on a short
list of all-time greats."
The 5-foot-11, 145-pound senior Kessler broke the national prep
record in the 1500-meter run this past season with a scorching time
of 3:34.6, the fourth-fastest time run by an American of any age in
2021. Kessler qualified for the U.S. Trials in the event and
reached the semifinal round. He also won the 800 at the Division 1
state meet in 1:54.13 and broke the tape in the 1600 with a time of
4:16.68. Kessler's personal-best of 8:39.04 was the fastest
two-mile clocking in the nation—No. 4 in US prep history—while his
time of 1:49.67 in the 800 ranked No. 3 in among prep competitors
in 2021. During the indoor season, he set another national high
school record when he ran a 3:57.66 in the mile.
Kessler is a leader and volunteer in the local climbing
community, working with young athletes at Planet Rock as a
volunteer assistant coach, teaching climbing techniques, setting
routes, and organizing games and activities for the youth teams. In
his neighborhood, Kessler serves as a de facto big brother to kids
on the block and helper to their parents. In addition to his
official babysitting duties, Hobbs often gives parents breaks by
playing with the neighborhood kids and organizing races, games and
activities to keep them occupied.
Kessler, who attends Community High School, an alternative
public school, has maintained a 3.48 GPA in the classroom. He will
attend Northern Arizona University this
fall, but has signed a professional contract with adidas.
"As a leader in the sports industry, it's our duty to spotlight
how dynamic athletes are as people," said Gatorade Senior Vice
President and General Manager Brett
O'Brien. "Roisin and Hobbs are role models for future
generations of student-athletes on how to be an all-around leader
in sport, the classroom and the community."
Each year a selection committee evaluates the nation's top
talent in the District of Columbia
and all 50 states, choosing national winners in 12 different
sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country,
boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls
soccer, and boys and girls track and field.
Gatorade is dedicated to recognizing, supporting and keeping
athletes in the game because of the lifelong skills sports instill
on and off the field. Since the program's inception in 1985,
Gatorade Player of the Year award recipients have won hundreds of
professional and college championships, and many have also turned
into pillars in their communities, becoming coaches, business
owners and educators. Previous winners include a distinguished list
of athletes, such as Peyton Manning,
Abby Wambach, Jayson Tatum, Derek
Jeter, Elena Delle Donne and
many other sports icons.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program,
check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit
playeroftheyear.gatorade.com, on Facebook at
facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow us on Twitter at
twitter.com/Gatorade.
PREVIOUS GATORADE
NATIONAL GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WINNERS
|
YEAR
|
NAME
|
HOMETOWN
|
STATUS
|
2019-20
|
Taylor
Ewert
|
Beavercreek,
OH
|
University of
Arkansas
|
2018-19
|
Jasmine
Moore
|
Mansfield,
TX
|
University of
Georgia
|
2017-18
|
Katelyn
Touhy
|
Thiells,
NY
|
North Carolina State
University
|
2016-17
|
Sydney
McLaughlin
|
Scotch Plains,
NJ
|
US Women's Track and
Field Team
|
2015-16
|
Sydney
McLaughlin
|
Scotch Plains,
NJ
|
US Women's Track and
Field Team
|
2014-15
|
Candace
Hill
|
Conyers,
GA
|
Asics
|
2013-14
|
Raven
Saunders
|
Charleston,
SC
|
Threw for University
of Mississippi
|
2012-13
|
Kendell
Williams
|
Marietta,
GA
|
Ran for University of
Georgia
|
2011-12
|
Shelbi
Vaughan
|
Mansfield,
TX
|
Threw for Texas
A&M University
|
2010-11
|
Amy
Weissenbach
|
Studio City,
CA
|
Ran for Stanford
University
|
2009-10
|
Ashton
Purvis
|
Oakland,
CA
|
Ran for Texas A&M
University
|
2008-09
|
Anna
Jelmini
|
Shafter,
CA
|
Threw for Arizona
State University
|
2007-08
|
Chanelle
Price
|
Easton, PA
|
Ran for University of
Tennessee
|
2006-07
|
Emily
Pendleton
|
Lindsey,
OH
|
Ran for University of
Michigan
|
2005-06
|
Bianca
Knight
|
Ridgeland,
MS
|
Ran for University of
Texas, Austin
|
2004-05
|
Brittany
Daniels
|
Tracy, CA
|
Ran for University of
Tennessee
|
2003-04
|
Shalonda
Solomon
|
Inglewood,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
2002-03
|
Allyson
Felix
|
North Hills,
CA
|
US Women's Track and
Field Team
|
2001-02
|
Sanya
Richards
|
Fort Lauderdale,
FL
|
Retired from US Track
and Field Team
|
2000-01
|
Ychlindria
Spears
|
Luling, TX
|
Ran for University of
Texas, Austin
|
1999-00
|
Monique
Henderson
|
San Diego,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1998-99
|
Stacy
Martin
|
Ellettsville,
IN
|
Ran for Auburn
University
|
1997-98
|
Angela
Williams
|
Chino, CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1996-97
|
Kinshasa
Davis
|
Carson, CA
|
Ran for University of
Southern California
|
1995-96
|
Kim
Mortensen
|
Thousand Oaks,
CA
|
Ran for University of
California, Los Angeles
|
1994-95
|
Joanna
Hayes
|
Riverside,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1993-94
|
Suzy
Powell
|
Modesto,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1992-93
|
Marion
Jones
|
Thousand Oaks,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1991-92
|
Marion
Jones
|
Thousand Oaks,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1990-91
|
Marion
Jones
|
Thousand Oaks,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1989-90
|
Melissa
Weis
|
Bakersfield,
CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1988-89
|
Angela
Burnham
|
Oxnard, CA
|
Ran for University of
California, Los Angeles
|
1987-88
|
Chryste
Gaines
|
Dallas, TX
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1986-87
|
Janeene
Vickers
|
Pomona, CA
|
Retired from US
Women's Track and Field Team
|
1985-86
|
Yolanda
Johnson
|
Denver, CO
|
Ran for Colorado
State University
|
PREVIOUS GATORADE
NATIONAL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
WINNERS
|
YEAR
|
NAME
|
HOMETOWN
|
STATUS
|
2019-20
|
Nico Young
|
Newbury Park,
CA
|
Northern Arizona
University
|
2018-19
|
Matthew
Boling
|
Houston,
TX
|
University of
Georgia
|
2017-18
|
Anthony
Schwartz
|
Plantation,
FL
|
Cleveland
Browns
|
2016-17
|
Armand
Duplantis
|
Lafayette,
LA
|
Sweden Men's Track
& Field Team
|
2015-16
|
Michael
Norman
|
Murrieta,
CA
|
Ran for University of
Southern California
|
2014-15
|
Michael
Norman
|
Murrieta,
CA
|
Ran for University of
Southern California
|
2013-14
|
Trentavis
Friday
|
Cherryville,
NC
|
Ran for Florida State
University
|
2012-13
|
Trayvon
Bromell
|
St. Petersburg,
FL
|
Ran for Baylor
University
|
2011-12
|
Abraham
Hall
|
Grand Prairie,
TX
|
Ran for University of
California, Los Angeles
|
2010-11
|
Gunnar
Nixon
|
Edmond, OK
|
Decathlon Events for
University of Arkansas
|
2009-10
|
Sam
Crouser
|
Gresham,
OR
|
Threw for University
of Oregon
|
2008-09
|
Curtis
Beach
|
Albuquerque,
NM
|
Decathlon Events for
Duke University
|
2007-08
|
German
Fernandez
|
Riverbank,
CA
|
Ran for Oklahoma
State University
|
2006-07
|
Bryshon
Nellum
|
Los Angeles,
CA
|
Ran for University of
Southern California
|
2005-06
|
David
Klech
|
San Ramon,
CA
|
Decathlon events for
University of California, Los Angeles
|
2004-05
|
Ryan
Whiting
|
Harrisburg,
PA
|
Threw for Arizona
State University
|
2003-04
|
Jason
Richardson
|
Cedar Hill,
TX
|
Ran for University of
South Carolina
|
2002-03
|
Kerron
Clement
|
LaPorte,
TX
|
Ran for University of
Florida
|
2001-02
|
Brendan
Christian
|
Austin, TX
|
Retired Antigua and
Barbuda Men's Track & Field Team
|
2000-01
|
Alan Webb
|
Reston, VA
|
Ran for University of
Michigan
|
1999-00
|
Donald
Sage
|
Elmhurst,
IL
|
Ran for Stanford
University
|
1998-99
|
Jacob
Freeman
|
Warwick,
RI
|
Threw for the
Manhattan Jaspers
|
1997-98
|
Jon
Stevens
|
Fremont,
CA
|
Ran for Stanford
University
|
1996-97
|
Sharif
Karie
|
Springfield,
VA
|
Ran for University of
Arkansas
|
1995-96
|
Michael
Granville
|
Bell Gardens,
CA
|
Ran for University of
California, Los Angeles
|
1994-95
|
Michael
Stember
|
Sacramento,
CA
|
Ran for Stanford
University
|
1993-94
|
Andre
Scott
|
Sanford,
FL
|
Jumped for Auburn
University
|
1992-93
|
Charles
Mitchell
|
Waco, TX
|
Ran for Auburn
University
|
1991-92
|
Sheddric
Fields
|
Dallas, TX
|
Ran for University of
Houston
|
1990-91
|
Bryan
Bronson
|
Jasper, TX
|
Retired US Men's
Track & Field Team
|
1989-90
|
Brent Noon
|
Fallbrook,
CA
|
Retired US Men's
Track & Field Team
|
1988-89
|
Dion
Bentley
|
Pittsburgh,
PA
|
Jumped for University
of Florida
|
1987-88
|
Art
Skipper
|
Sandy, OR
|
Deceased
|
1986-87
|
Kamy
Keshmiri
|
Reno, NV
|
Threw for University
of Nevada at Reno
|
1985-86
|
Eric
Mastalir
|
Carmichael,
CA
|
Ran for Stanford
University
|
About Gatorade
The Gatorade Company, a division of
PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP), meets the needs of consumers who participate
in Sports and Fitness, through brands that include Gatorade,
Propel, Muscle Milk, Evolve and Bolt24. The solutions they provide
are driven by a deep understanding of the unique needs and
occasions of different types of sports and fitness. Gatorade, their
marquee brand, is underpinned by more than 50-year history of
studying the best athletes in the world and sports-nutrition
research by the Gatorade Sport Science Institute, allowing it to
provide scientifically-formulated products that meet athletes'
needs both on and off the field. For more information and a full
list of products, please visit www.gatorade.com.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by
consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200
countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more
than $70 billion in net revenue in
2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that
includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and
SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of
enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate
more than $1 billion each in
estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in
Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning
with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the
marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business
strategy and brands. For more information, visit
www.pepsico.com.
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roisin-willis-and-hobbs-kessler-named-2020-21-gatorade-national-track-and-field-players-of-the-year-301334042.html
SOURCE The Gatorade Company