Girls Cross Country - Montana

“She shows true kindness to her opponents, humility to her talent and respect to those that try to teach and coach her.Makena Morley's running supremacy has been well documented in the small town of Bigfork, Montana, but she has also been honored beyond our tiny confines. This is the third straight year that Morley has won Gatorade Player of the Year. She had a terrific 2013, she set two course records, one being the all-class state record. That means, regardless of schools size, class or generation, Makena Morley is the fastest girl to ever run in the state of Montana. Morley also placed second at the Nike regionals, and won the Footlocker Regionals. At Footlocker nationals Morley placed eighth, giving her All-American honors. Setting high standards in her running also carries over to high standards in the classroom. Morley excels as she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is ranked first in her graduating class. She does this while being a multiple sport athlete and taking the hardest classes offered at her school. She is highly regarded by the staff as an excellent student and shines not just in core academic courses but in creative and artistic endeavors as well. With all of the honors and praise she has received in our small town it would be easy to think that she would have an outsized ego, but Morley is nothing if she isn't sweet and humble. It is her character that makes her so special. She shows true kindness to her opponents, humility to her talent and respect to those that try to teach and coach her. She listens and acts in a way that would make any parent proud, any teacher pleased, and any coach honored. All of this together makes Morley a Gatorade Player of the Year.”