THE WINNER: Zoe Sims

THE BASICS

School: Hawaii Prep (Kamuela, Hawaii)
Grade: Senior

Athletic achievement: The middle-distance and distance runner won the 1,500-meter run with a state-record time of 4:36.22 and the 800-meter run in 2:13.58 at the Outdoor State Championships past season, leading the Ka Makani to third place as a team. Sims’ 1500-meter run time at the state meet ranked No. 26 among U.S. prep competitors in 2013 at the time of her selection. She also won the 1500-meter run, as a sophomore at the 2011 state meet.

Academic excellence: Also a cross country standout, Sims has maintained a 4.95 weighted GPA and is a 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Exemplary character: She has volunteered locally on behalf of a charity walk and as part of initiatives to feed the homeless.

THE PRAISE

“She’s a tremendous athlete and a tremendous scholar,” said Bob Martin, head coach of rival K’au (Pahala, Hawaii). “She broke a 14-year-old state record in the 1,500 meters set by the very talented Victoria Chang, she nearly bested the 800-meter record and she placed in the 4×400. It was a tremendous cap to a tremendous career.”

THE FUTURE: Sims will run for Princeton.