Top Track and Field Awards for High School Students

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Track and field is one of the most popular and competitive sports for high school athletes. Success in track and field requires speed, strength, endurance, and dedication, and many high school athletes strive for recognition in this sport. Various awards and honors highlight the achievements of outstanding track and field competitors. In this guide, we will explore the top track trophies and awards for high school students, how they are earned, and their significance in an athlete's career.

1. Gatorade Player of the Year - Track and Field

The Gatorade Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors available to high school athletes, including those who excel in track and field. This award has recognized elite high school athletes since 1985, and its past winners include some of the biggest names in sports.

Eligibility and Selection

Each year, one male and one female track and field athlete are named Gatorade Players of the Year in their respective states. From these state winners, a national Player of the Year is chosen. The selection is based not only on athletic performance but also on academic achievement and character. To be eligible, athletes must exhibit excellence in track and field competitions as well as in their personal lives.

Benefits and Impact

Winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award is a major accolade for any high school athlete. It brings national recognition, making college recruiters take notice. Many winners of this award go on to compete in collegiate athletics, with some even reaching professional levels. The award also includes a grant that winners can direct to a local or national youth sports organization.

2. USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympic Awards

The USATF Junior Olympics is the most prestigious youth track and field competition in the United States. High school athletes from across the country compete in regional and national championships, with the top performers earning medals and titles.

Eligibility and Selection

To compete in the USATF Junior Olympics, athletes must qualify through regional competitions. The top finishers in these events advance to the national championships, where they compete against the best youth track and field athletes in the country. Awards are given to the top three finishers in each event, and national champions receive gold medals.

Benefits and Impact

Winning a USATF Junior Olympic title is a significant accomplishment that can lead to opportunities for scholarships and recruitment by college track and field programs. It also allows athletes to compete at a high level, gaining experience that can help them as they transition to collegiate and even international competitions. Junior Olympic champions often become stars in high school, college, and beyond.

3. New Balance Nationals

New Balance Nationals is one of the most prestigious high school track and field meets in the country. It is divided into two seasons: the Indoor Nationals, held in the winter, and the Outdoor Nationals, held in the summer. Both events attract the best high school track and field athletes in the nation.

Eligibility and Selection

Athletes qualify for New Balance Nationals by achieving the necessary standard in their respective events. The competition features various divisions, including Championship, Emerging Elite, and Freshman divisions, allowing athletes at different levels to compete. Winners of the Championship division events are awarded the coveted New Balance Nationals title and gold medals.

Benefits and Impact

New Balance Nationals winners earn national recognition, and the competition itself serves as a showcase for college recruiters. The event has a long history of producing future Olympians and professional athletes. Winning a national title at New Balance Nationals can be a key milestone in an athlete's career and provides valuable exposure on a national stage.

4. Brooks PR Invitational

The Brooks PR Invitational is a highly selective track and field meet that invites only the top high school athletes in the country to compete. This invitation-only event focuses on speed, bringing together the fastest runners in the U.S. for a day of thrilling competition.

Eligibility and Selection

Athletes are invited to the Brooks PR Invitational based on their performances throughout the track and field season. The competition features a limited number of events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, mile, 2-mile, and hurdles. Only the fastest athletes from around the country receive invitations to participate, making it one of the most exclusive high school track meets.

Benefits and Impact

Competing in the Brooks PR Invitational is a significant honor for any high school track and field athlete. The event is widely covered by the media, and it provides a platform for athletes to showcase their talent in front of college recruiters and scouts. Winning an event at Brooks PR signals that an athlete is among the fastest in the nation, boosting their visibility and career prospects.

5. Foot Locker Cross Country Championships

While technically a cross country event, the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships is one of the premier events for high school distance runners. Many track and field athletes compete in both cross country and track events, making this championship a key part of their athletic careers.

Eligibility and Selection

Runners qualify for the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships by competing in one of the regional meets held across the country. The top finishers from each region advance to the national championships, held in San Diego. The national event is highly competitive, with the top 40 male and female runners from across the U.S. vying for the championship title.

Benefits and Impact

The Foot Locker Cross Country Championships has a long history of producing elite distance runners who go on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels. Many former Foot Locker champions have become Olympians, NCAA champions, and world-class athletes. Winning or even competing in this event is a major achievement that can open doors to scholarships and recruitment opportunities.

6. Track and Field State Championships

Every state in the U.S. holds a high school track and field state championship, where athletes compete for individual and team titles. These events are some of the most important competitions in a high school athlete's career, as they bring together the top athletes from each region of the state.

Eligibility and Selection

Athletes qualify for state championships by performing well in regional or district competitions. The top finishers from these preliminary meets advance to the state championship, where they compete for medals and titles. Awards are given to the top finishers in each event, and team championships are also awarded based on points scored by individual athletes.

Benefits and Impact

Winning a state championship is a significant accomplishment for any high school track and field athlete. State champions often gain recognition from college recruiters, and the title of "state champion" is a prestigious addition to any athlete's resume. Many state champions go on to compete in collegiate athletics, with some even advancing to national and international competitions.

7. High School All-American Awards - Track and Field News

Track and Field News, one of the most respected publications in the sport, annually names the top high school athletes in the country to its All-American teams. These awards are based on an athlete's performance throughout the season, and they cover a wide range of track and field events.

Eligibility and Selection

Athletes are selected for the Track and Field News High School All-American team based on their season-long performances. The selection process considers not only individual event results but also consistency and overall excellence across the track and field season. Athletes named to this team represent the best in the nation in their respective events.

Benefits and Impact

Being named a Track and Field News High School All-American is one of the highest honors a high school track and field athlete can receive. This award provides national recognition and helps athletes stand out in the recruiting process. Many All-Americans go on to have successful collegiate and professional careers, and the title is a significant boost to an athlete's visibility.

8. Simplot Games

The Simplot Games is one of the largest and most prestigious indoor track and field meets for high school athletes in the United States. Held annually in Pocatello, Idaho, the Simplot Games attracts athletes from across the country to compete in a wide range of events.

Eligibility and Selection

The Simplot Games is an open competition, meaning athletes from any high school can register to compete. The meet features various track and field events, including sprints, distance races, hurdles, jumps, and throws. The top finishers in each event receive medals, and the competition is known for its high level of talent.

Benefits and Impact

The Simplot Games provides a valuable opportunity for high school athletes to compete against some of the best in the country. The event is widely attended by college recruiters, and top performers often attract interest from Division I programs. Winning or placing at the Simplot Games is a major achievement that can significantly boost an athlete's recruiting profile.

Conclusion

Track and field awards for high school students recognize athletic excellence and provide opportunities for further development. From national honors like the Gatorade Player of the Year and New Balance Nationals to local achievements like state championships, these awards highlight the dedication and skill of high school track and field athletes. For those who dream of competing at the next level, these awards offer a chance to gain recognition, scholarships, and the experience necessary to succeed in collegiate and professional athletics.