THE WINNER: Josh Evans

THE BASICS

School: Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 150 pounds

Athletic achievement: The distance runner won the 3200-meter run with a time of 9:13.34 seconds and anchored the 1600-meter sprint medley relay quartet that broke the tape in 3:29.94 this spring, leading the Lions to the Class 4A state championship as a team. A 2013 First Team All-State selection, Evans broke a 24-year old meet record in the 1600 at the Drake Relays with a time of 4:10.86.

Academic excellence: Evans has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on behalf Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (S.O.D.A.) and in association with multiple community service initiatives on behalf of his church youth group.

THE PRAISE

“Josh Evans is a humble champion and has a good rapport with his fellow competitors,” said Brian Martz, head coach at Iowa City West (Iowa City, Iowa). “He is a fine representative of track and field in Iowa and he always demonstrates great sportsmanship, win or lose.”

THE FUTURE: Evans will be a senior next year.