South Oldham’s Cole Dowdy was named the Gatorade Kentucky Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year on Friday.
Dowdy won the Class 3-A state championship in November with a time of 15 minutes, 20.3 seconds. He also competed in the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships on Dec. 12 in San Diego, finishing 38th with a time of 16:25.6.
Dowdy, who has a 4.32 grade-point average, has signed with the University of Kentucky.
“During his freshman year, Cole Dowdy set a goal of becoming a state champion and a Foot Locker Cross Country Championship finalist,” South Oldham coach Stan Clark said. “He used his strength and the willingness needed for four years to accomplish that goal. His mental toughness and focus not only made his dream a reality but also helped the team be the best it could be.”
The Gatorade awards recognize athletic accomplishments along with high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership. Dowdy now is eligible for the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award.
Lexington Catholic sophomore Michaela Reinhart was named Kentucky’s girls winner last week.