Monarch senior distance runner Isaac Green and Denver East sophomore sprinter Arria Minor were each named the 2016-17 Colorado Gatorade Track & Field Athlete of the Year on Thursday morning.
Green, a University of Washington commit, won 2017 Class 5A individual titles in the 800-, 1600-, and 3200-meters in addition to his role on the Coyotes’ state-best 4×800 relay. He is the first Monarch athlete to win Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
The performance capped a sensational prep career for Green, who is also a two-time cross-country state champion and a guy who has character that’s “above most 18-year-olds. The way he talks to people, his concern for other people, his concern for his teammates — that’s what makes him a special person,” according to Monarch coach Kent Rieder.
Meanwhile, Minor continues to rack up the accolades following her repeat 5A title showings in the 100-, 200- and 400-meters this season.
The phenom has a chance to end up being the best girls sprinter the state has ever seen thanks to a deadly combination of natural ability and an indomitable work ethic as she keeps developing into a nationally-renowned talent.
