Gatorade 2023 - 2024: Player of the Year

Boys Cross Country - Connecticut

athletes playing Boys Cross Country
The POY Logo
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Steven Hergenrother

Runner
RIDGEFIELD HS
RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT
SENIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-9
Press Release

Peak Performance

3rd - 15:53.7

Nike Cross Northeast Regional Championships

1st

New England Championships

3rd

Manhattan Invitational

8th

Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival
“Recognized as the team leader for a Ridgefield program that captured two State Open crowns and one runner-up plaque, Steven Hergenrother has been the region’s most consistent and successful distance talent in recent years. A two-time state individual champion—who this year claimed his first berth to nationals—he was the clear choice in winning his second consecutive Gatorade POY award.”
Rich Gonzalez
PrepCal Track
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-9, 140-pound senior raced to the bronze medal at the Nike Cross Northeast Regional Championships in a time of 15:53.7 this past season, earning his first berth to nationals, where he placed 29th. Hergenrother also won the New England Championships, leading the Tigers to the team title. In two other notable interstate successes, he took third in the featured race at the Manhattan Invitational and placed eighth in the Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival. 

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Hergenrother has maintained a 5.00 weighted GPA in the classroom.  He will attend Princeton University this fall, where he will compete on the cross country and track teams.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Hergenrother has volunteered more than 100 hours tutoring fellow students in Advanced Placement Physics, Calculus and Chemistry. Also treasurer and previously a senator student government, he worked with local businesses to multiply funding for the Bridgeport Field of Dream Foundation’s “Kicks For Kids” program, in initiative he earmarked through a grant received via Gatorade’s Play It Forward program after winning last year’s award.