Ann Arbor Sophomore Natasza Dudek Named Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Player of the Year
The Ann Arbor Pioneer standout becomes the program’s first national honoree, the second ever from Michigan.
Overview
- Gatorade announced the national award Wednesday at Ann Arbor Pioneer, where Katelyn Tuohy presented the trophy in a surprise school ceremony.
- Dudek completed a 13-0 sophomore season that included the MHSAA Division 1 state title, Nike Cross Nationals and the Brooks XC Championships.
- She ran 16:09.5 at the MHSAA finals to break the meet record by nearly 20 seconds and also set the NXN Midwest Regional course record.
- She is the first high school girl to win both Nike Cross Nationals and the Brooks XC Championships in one season and only the third sophomore to win either.
- The recognition marks Ann Arbor Pioneer's first national Gatorade winner and Michigan’s second overall, following 2009–10 honoree Megan Goethals.