For a list of the other Gatorade State Girls Track & Field Athletes of the Year, click here

THE WINNER: Symone Black

THE BASICS

School: Concordia Lutheran (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Grade: Senior
Event: Hurdles
Height: 5-foot-3

Athletic achievement: She won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles with a state-record time of 41.36 seconds and the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.17 seconds at the state championship meet this spring. Black was named Ms. Indiana Track and Field by the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches and her state championship time in the 300 hurdles ranked as the nation’s No. 8 performance among prep competitors in 2014 at the time of her selection.

Academic excellence: Black has maintained a 3.15 GPA.

Exemplary character: A devoted member of her church community, she has raised funds to benefit multiple sclerosis research and breast cancer awareness, and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic as well as community clean-up initiatives.

THE PRAISE

“Symone is as humble as she is talented,” said Concordia Lutheran coach Quinton Dixie. “She’s competitive and hard-working, but has a strong sense of balance in her life. She’s been a joy to work with.”

THE FUTURE: Black has signed with Purdue.