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After a record-breaking outdoor track and field season, Annandale's Nyalaam Jok was named the 2020-21 Gatorade Minnesota Girls Track and Field Player of the Year. Jok is the first Gatorade Player of the Year from Annandale high school.
The 6-foot-2 senior won the high jump and long jump at the Class A state meet, leading the Cardinals to a second-place finish as a team. At the time of her selection, Jok's winning high jump clearance of 6 feet matched the state record and ranked No. 1 nationally among prep competitors in the event in 2021. Her state-title-winning leap of 20' 0.5" long jump ranked No. 17 nationally. Jok also placed second in the 100-meter hurdles at the state meet and ran the anchor leg for Annandale's third-place 4x100-meter relay team. She won the Class AA high jump state title as an eighth-grader representing Osseo High, and the Class A state title as a freshman for Annandale.
Jok is committed to the University of Minnesota where she will compete for the track and field program. Her jump of 6' 0" would've made her the Gophers best high jumper this season, and would be just off Taylor Wiebke's school record of 6' 0.75". Additionally, her mark of 20' 0.5" would've made her the second-best long jumper on the team behind Allison Gerads.
Former winners of this prestigious award include Madison Schmidt, Emily Kompelien, Anna Keefer, Carrie Tollefson, and Maggie Ewen.