Salt Lake City (January 25, 2009) — In its third decade of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE Magazine, announced its 2008-09 Gatorade State Boys and Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year.
Utah's standout freshman Danielle Menlove took home top honors for the State of Utah. Menlove, the defending state cross country champion, Foot Locker finalist and cross country All-American produced an epic freshman season competing for Jordan High. The multiple time youth national champion begins her prep career without missing a beat. The Milesplit Utah Athlete of the Year now adds Gatorade Utah State Runner of the Year to her resume. Gatorade Girls Runners of the Year
Danielle Menlove placed 3rd at the Foot Locker West Region Championship qualifying for the National Finals as a freshman. Menlove placed 15th at the Foot Locker National Finals earning All-American honors. Photo: Footlockercc.com
Jonathan Nelson of Timpview high school is awarded the 2008 Gatorade Utah State Runner of the Year. The defending Utah state cross country champion completed an epic season with a 2nd place showing at the NXN Southwest Championships and competing at the NXN National Championships.
The Gatorade Runner of the Year for Utah is a prestigious honor that places Nelson in elite company as one of the great distance runners in Utah state history. Gatorade Boys Runners of the Year