Photo by Ryan EscobarJohnathan Gray, shown here accepting his award, is Gatorade's top male prep athlete of the year.
football star
Johnathan Gray and
Cicero-North Syracuse (Cicero, N.Y.) girls basketball standout
Breanna Stewart were selected Gatorade Athletes of the Year in a fanciful event at Loews Hollywood Hotel Tuesday night.
Gray, a Texas-bound running back, scored a national-record 205 touchdowns in his illustrious career, leading the Bearcats to 55 victories and three straight Texas 4A state championships.
As he accepted his award from Landon Donovan, Robert Griffin III and Alonzo Mourning, Gray stepped up to the microphone and said: "Mom, don't cry."
He then went on to thank God, his parents, teammates, coaches and Gatorade. He beat out five other national sport Athletes of the Year.
"I was shocked when I heard my name," Gray said afterward. "I thought Jabari (basketball star Parker) was going to win it."
Stewart, a 6-foot-5 forward headed to UConn, averaged 26.4 points, 14.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 4.2 blocks and 3.1 steals per game.
She led the Northstars to a 23-3 record and a second-straight New York State Public AA title. She too thanked her parents, teammates, coaches and Gatorade when she accepted the trophy from Lisa Leslie, Brandi Chastain and Ogonna Nnamani.
"Oh my gosh," she said when she walked into the press room afterward. "I can't believe it."
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