For a list of the other Gatorade Track & Field State POYs, click here.
THE WINNER: Carmen Carlos
THE BASICS
School: McGill-Toolen Catholic (Mobile, Ala.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-9
Athletic achievement: She won three Class 6A individual state titles this spring and led the Yellow Jackets to a third-place finish as a team. The four-time Gatorade Alabama Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, Carlos won gold in the outdoor track 800-meter run with a time of 2:12.18, the 1600-meter run in 4:48.23 and the 3200-meter run in 10:32.02. She holds seven state records and has won 22 state championships including cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field. Carlos’ season-best time of 10:15.70 in the 3200 ranked as the nation’s No. 10 performance among prep competitors in 2013 at the time of her selection.
Academic excellence: Carlos has maintained a 4.22 GPA.
Exemplary character: A member of the National Honor Society and a student ambassador at her school, she has volunteered locally on behalf of the Easter Seals, Servants of the Poor, Little Sisters of the Poor and National Down Syndrome Society.
THE PRAISE
“Anyone who raced Carmen in Alabama knew they were going to get her best effort, every time,” said McGill-Toolen coach Drew Bentley. “She inspired her teammates and her coaches by always lining up and performing. She never faltered.”
THE FUTURE: Carlos has signed with Vanderbilt.
