2019-20 Gatorade Runners of the Year

    

    

    Yesterday across the United States, Gatorade announced their 2019 Gatorade Players (Runners) of the Year for 2019-20 Cross Country season. Coming as what should be no surprise, the brother sister duo from Madison CentralConner O'Shea and Ciara O'Shea, rack up the final accolade of an unforgettable 2019 Cross Country season. Along with that they make HISTORY as the only brother and sister to win the award in the same year! 

    Factors that play a part in the decision making process include of course athletic accomplishments, academic achievement, and community impact. For the O'Shea's the athletic accomplishments were showcased on this site and our social media all year long, but what happens in the classroom comes before everything. Conner has maintained a weighted 4.26 GPA and Ciara has maintained a 4.0 GPA showing that they are exemplary characters on and off the course. 

    I've had the opportunity on many occasions to talk to them after races at meets across the state and although shy and dreading the post race interviews they're always class acts who stay humble despite striking fear into their opponents. So congratulations to both Conner and Ciara as well as their entire family and coaching staff on the achievement of this prestigious award!  

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    Also, as a part of Gatorade's cause marketing platform "Play it Forward," each will have the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of their choosing. They're also eligible to submit an essay to win one of twelve $10,000 spotlight grants for the organization of choice, which will be announced throughout the year.