Each season, Gatorade recognizes one student-athlete from each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. who embodies its Player of the Year program’s three pillars: athletic production, academic achievement and exemplary character.
Each week during its Gatorade State Player of the Year selection process, USA TODAY surfaces one candidate who meets those criteria and deserves recognition as a serious Gatorade State Player of the Year contender.
Name: Elly Henes
School: Green Hope (Cary, N.C.)
Sport: Girls’ cross country
Class: Junior
Athletic Production: Henes wasn’t always sure she would run competitively, but once she decided to go out for Green Hope’s decorated cross country program, head coach Mike Miragliuolo probably had a pretty good idea he had a star in the making.
After all, Henes is the daughter of a pair of N.C. State products who share five All-American honors between them. Elly’s father Bob won three ACC cross country titles between 1987-90, and her mother Laurie (Gomez) captured an individual NCAA outdoor track national championship in the 5,000 meters in 1991. That’s quite a Wolfpack to join.
After just three prep seasons, though, Henes seems destined for similar success. The 5-foot-5 junior harrier won North Carolina’s Class 4A individual state championship with a time of 18:02.47 this past season, leading the Falcons to a state-record sixth consecutive team title. She also placed second at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional championships in 17:17 and 21st at the NXN Final in 18:11.
With one more season remaining in Henes’ high school career and her collegiate destination left undecided, she’ll surely be encouraged both at home and at school to keep running, especially since her mother now serves as head track and cross country coach at N.C. State.
Academic Achievement: Henes has maintained an A average.
Exemplary Character: She has volunteered locally on behalf of multiple food banks, community cleanup efforts and the Cary Police Department’s drive to provide teddy bears as comfort for distressed children involved in car accidents, house fires and domestic disputes.