CHICAGO (June 23, 2009) — In its third decade of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE, today announced Danny Neff of Butler High School as its 2008-09 Gatorade Ohio Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Neff is the first Gatorade Ohio Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from
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The 6-foot senior distance runner captured his second straight Division I state championship in the 1600-meter run, breaking the tape in 4:10.57, and added a victory in the 800-meter run in 1:51:36, leading the Aviators to fourth place as a team. Neff also won the 800 at the Midwest Distance Gala in 1:50.02, which ranked No. 4 in the nation among prep competitors at the time of his selection.
Neff has maintained a 3.39 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally serving meals to the homeless and on behalf of the Special Olympics.
“Danny is dedicated to the sport and his excitement is contagious throughout the team,” said Butler Head Coach Brian Tregoning. “He’s a leader, verbally and by example, and he brings out the best in everyone, in practice and in meets.”
Neff has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the
Neff joins recent Gatorade Ohio Boys Track & Field Athletes of the Year Cory Leslie (2007-08, Perkins), Jimmie Pacifico (2006-07,
For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.
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Barnesville High School STANDOUT NAMED GATORADE
CHICAGO (June 17, 2009) — In its third decade of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE, today announced Stephanie Morgan of Barnesville High School as its 2008-09 Gatorade Ohio Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Morgan is the second Gatorade Ohio Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of 
academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track, distinguishes Morgan as
The state’s returning Gatorade Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Morgan repeated as state champion in both the 800-meter run and the 1600-meter run, leading the Shamrocks to fourth place in Division III as a team. The 5-foot-10 senior distance runner clocked a 2:09.77 in the 800 and a 4:50.93 in the 1600. The 2008-09 Gatorade Ohio Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, Morgan also won the 3000-meter run at the Penn Relays in 9:31.32, which represented the nation’s best prep time in the event at the time of her selection.
Morgan has maintained a 3.23 GPA in the classroom. She has volunteered locally on behalf of a summer program for handicapped kids.
“Stephanie is an athlete who works to her fullest potential every day,” said Melissa Dodd, Barnesville High head coach. “She trains very hard, which pays off in all of her performances. She’s dedicated and very determined.”
Morgan has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the
Two-time winner Morgan joins recent Gatorade Ohio Girls Track & Field Athletes of the Year Emily Pendleton (2006-07, Woodmore) and Bridget Franek (2005-06, Crestwood) among the state’s list of former award winners.
For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a list of past winners, and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.
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