Hasay chosen Gatorade California girls’ cross-country runner of the year

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Jordan Hasay of San Luis Obispo Mission Prep was selected the 2007-08 Gatorade California girls’ cross-country runner of the year on Thursday. Riverbank senior German Fernandez was the boys’ honoree. Both are now finalists for the Gatorade National cross-country runner of the year award to be announced later this month.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the course. Hasay was undefeated in state meets as a junior this last fall, winning the state Division V individual title and her third consecutive Foot Locker West Regional. At the Foot Locker national championships she blazed to an early lead, covering the first mile in 5:18, before settling for third.

Endurance and speed, however, are merely two elements of Hasay’s winning formula. Others include intelligence and heart. She maintains a 4.38 grade-point average and volunteers for numerous church and community service projects.

-- Image by Mark Smith

‘Just watching her develop over the last three years from a little girl with big dreams has been incredible,’ Mission College Prep Coach Leslie Monaco said. ‘What a gift for our program to have someone of that caliber, not just as a runner, but as a person too.’

Fernandez won the Foot Locker West Regional and the state Division IV individual titles and also placed third at the Foot Locker national meet.

For more on the Gatorade player of the year program, including nomination information, a list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National runner of the year, visit www.gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.

-- Steve Galluzzo, guest blogger