The Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runners of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.
For the complete list of Gatorade State Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Bailey Hertenstein
THE BASICS
School: Riverview (Fla.)
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Distance Runner
Height: 5-foot-6
Athletic achievement: The distance runner raced to the Class 4A individual state championship this past season with a course-record time of 17:32.55. Hertenstein finished first at the Region 2 championships, the District 7 championships and the flrunners.com Invitational. She was also named Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Cross Country.
Academic excellence: Hertenstein has maintained a 3.95 GPA.
Exemplary character: She has volunteered as a student ambassador in her school.
THE PRAISE
“Bailey is a hard worker and she’s very team oriented,” said Riverview coach Shanna Brown. “She started running without much of a running background but she has really soaked up all the knowledge given to her by her many coaches.”
THE FUTURE: Hertentstein will begin her junior year of high school this fall.
