For a complete list of Gatorade State Cross Country ROYs, click here.

THE WINNER: Elise Cranny

THE BASICS

School: Niwot (Colo.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Distance runner
Height: 5-foot-5

Athletic achievement: She raced to second place nationally at the Nike Cross Nationals Final this past season with a time of 16:53.8. The state’s returning Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, Cranny also won the Class 4A individual state championship with a course-record time of 18:07.8, leading the Cougars to second place as a team. She captured the NXN Southwest Regional championships in 17:03.9.

Academic excellence: Cranny has maintained 4.24 GPA.

Exemplary character: A member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, she has volunteered on behalf of area food banks. 

THE PRAISE

“Elise’s success is unparalleled,” said Niwot head coach Sam Catterson. “In the two years I’ve been her coach, she hasn’t lost a race in the state of Colorado, and she’s set course records on nearly every course she has run. Still, she is selfless and humble. Despite her success, she always puts other people first.”

THE FUTURE: Cranny remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.