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: Bethany Hasz

THE BASICS

School: Alexandria Area (Alexandria, Minn.)
Grade: Senior
Position: Distance Runner
Height: 5-foot-5

Athletic achievement: The distance runner took fifth at the Nike Cross Nationals Final this past season with a time of 17:17.1. She also finished fourth at the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional championships, crossing the line in 17:17.6. The state’s 2013-14 Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, Hasz captured an individual title at the Class AA state meet, breaking the tape in 17:32.2.

Academic excellence: Hasz has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Exemplary character: An accomplished cellist, she has volunteered locally on behalf of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Feed My Starving Children.

THE PRAISE

“Bethany Hasz works extremely hard, is so kind and knows what it takes to succeed and does it with such determination,” said Alexandria High head coach Travis Hochhalter. “She loves to work toward something and is dedicated to the sport of cross country.”

THE FUTURE: Hasz has signed a National Letter of Intent to run on an athletic scholarship at the University of Minnesota beginning this fall.