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: Michaela Reinhart

THE BASICS

School: Lexington Catholic (Lexington, Ky.)
Grade: Sophomore
Position: Distance Runner
Height: 5-foot-3

Athletic achievement: The distance runner raced to the Class 2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 18:03.6, leading the Knights to a third-place finish as a team. A 2015 First Team All-State Selection, Reinhart earned 10th place at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast championships, crossing the line in 17:50.1.

Academic excellence: Reinhart has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Exemplary character: A member of the National Spanish Honor Society and the president of the student council, she has participated on a service mission trip on behalf of her church and has volunteered as a youth track & field coach.

THE PRAISE

“Michaela Reinhart is a dominant distant runner in Kentucky and has been for several years,” said Brian Alessandro, head coach at Highlands High. “I enjoy watching her gutsy performances, especially when racing other elite girls because she task risks and pushes herself to the limit.”

THE FUTURE: Reinhart will begin her junior year of high school this fall.