Weaver Named Gatorade Girls Minnesota XC Runner of the Year


Stillwater junior, Analee Weaver was announced on Monday as the 2019 Gatorade Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year for Minnesota. Weaver becomes the first Ponies girl to win the prestigious award that also makes her a finalist for the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year Award.

Weaver emerged from a crowded field of contenders in Minnesota during the fall of 2019, winning the individual Class AA state title in a then PR time of 17:46.1, helping Stillwater to a fifth place team finish. That title race capped off a string of three straight victories to end her junior season of Minnesota racing.

Prior to her state title, Weaver claimed her second straight Suburban East Conference title and first career Section 4AA championship. Carrying that momentum on to national qualifying meets out side of the state, Weaver continued her memorable season.

At NXR Heartland, Weaver ran near the front the entire way, using a career-best 17:27.7 to finish fourth and book a spot at Nike Cross Nationals. The next weekend, she powered through an always star-studded field at Foot Locker Cross Country Midwest Regionals to finish eighth, earning yet another berth to a national meet.

NXR provided a showcase of Weaver's talent and grit as she overcame the prototypical Portland conditions of rain and mud to a 29th place result, second best among the seven Heartland NXN qualifiers. At Foot Locker Nationals in well-known Morley Field in San Diego, Weaver earned All-American honors with a 14th place finish in one of the fastest FLCCN races of all-time. 

Weaver, a 4.0 student, also volunteers at her church and in a community program that serves foster children.

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