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THE WINNER: Carter Blunt

THE BASICS

School: Independence (Frisco, Texas)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 130 pounds

Athletic achievement: He raced to the Class 5A individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:22.2. Blunt is one of just four prep boys nationwide to earn All-American honors at both national title races, finishing 13th at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and 20th at the Nike Cross Nationals Final. He won the NXN South Regional championships in 15:34.31 and took second at the Foot Locker South Regional championships.

Academic excellence: Blunt has maintained a 3.61 GPA.

Exemplary character: He has volunteered locally on behalf of a middle school running program.

THE PRAISE

“Carter was the best runner in the state this year, not just because of talent, but because he works his tail off,” said Independence coach Manalas Petty. “He puts the right things in his body, trains smart and makes sacrifices that other 16-year-olds typically don’t.”

THE FUTURE: Blunt will be a senior this fall.