THE WINNER: Jake Leingang
THE BASICS
School: Bismarck (N.D.)
Grade: Senior
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 130 pounds
Athletic achievement: The distance runner won the 800-meter run with a time of 1:57.25, the 1600-meter run in 4:13.69 and the 3200-meter run in 9:24.48 this spring, leading the Demons to their 10th straight Class A state championship as a team. A three-time Gatorade North Dakota Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, Leingang is an 11-time individual state champion and set a state record in the 1600 with a time of 4:05.63 at the Class A West Regionals, which ranked as the nation’s No. 9 clocking by a prep competitor in 2013 at the time of his selection.
Academic excellence: Leingang has maintained a 3.58 GPA.
Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally at a soup kitchen and retirement home and on behalf of multiple community service initiatives in association with this church youth group.
THE PRAISE
“Jake Leingang has been an unbelievable role model and leader for our track and field team,” said Bismarck head coach Dave Zittleman. “His work ethic and dedication to the sport are off the charts.”
THE FUTURE: Leingang has signed with Oregon.
