13 Days Until the State Boys Cross Country Announcement
Gatorade 2025 - 2026: Player of the Year

Girls Cross Country - Ohio

Gatorade Player of the year

Sophia Szolosi

Runner
ATHENS HS
THE PLAINS, OHIO
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT3
Press Release

Peak Performance

1st

Brooks XC Midwest Championships

4th

Brooks Cross Country Championships

1st - 17:02.5

Division 2 state meet
“I’m not sure how a counter-argument can be made against Sophia Szolosi for Gatorade Player of the Year. She was a state and regional champion and posted a top-five finish at nationals. Her PR at 5K is the second-fastest in state history.”
Mark Dwyer
MileSplit Heartland

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-3 senior won the Brooks XC Midwest Championships this past season and went on to take fourth at Brooks nationals, earning First Team All-American honors. Szolosi also broke the tape at the Division 2 state meet with a time of 17:02.5, leading the Bulldogs to the team title. Her win at the Division 2 Region 6 meet came in a personal-best 16:43.6.

Academic Achievement

Szolosi has maintained a weighted 4.81 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to run at Duke University this fall.

Exemplary Character

The vice president of her school’s Key Club for four years, Szolosi helped establish a schoolwide recycling program. Also a member of the STEM club, she’s conducted multiple research projects that have earned her a rating of Superior at the State Science Fair. She has volunteered locally on behalf of the Athens Athletic Club (AAC), a nonprofit designed to empower and encourage running amongst youth in Southeastern Ohio.