The Nation’s Most Outstanding High School Players Honored
Ella Stevens is named Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year after a fabulous season filled with technical and tactical excellence with style, substance and skill.
Youth Soccer News: Gatorade surprised Ella Stevens with the honor of being the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Former pro soccer player on our U.S. Men’s National Team and current ESPN soccer analyst Taylor Twellman surprised Stevens while on camera! Catch the action on the YouTube video below.
The Gatorade Player of the Year is a very special award celebrating Stevens’ greatness on and off the field. Well liked and respected by her peers, coaches, teachers and teammates, Stevens is a lovely young lady who is also a great student, earning a 3.62 GPA at Grayson High School. Stevens will be attending Duke University this fall.
A member of the GSA ECNL U18 team, Stevens has been coached by Campbell Chapman for the 2015/16 youth soccer season. The team ranks #4 in the U18 ECNL Southeast Conference Standings.
Stevens has participated in the following U. S. Soccer events:
- U14 National ID Camp, August, 2011
- U14 National Team Camp, September, 2011
- U15 National Team Camp, February 2012
- U15 National Team Camp, June 2012
The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize and celebrate the nation’s most outstanding high school talents for their athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character. Now in its third decade, the Gatorade Player of the Year award has become one of the most prestigious accolades in high school sports.
From a young age, a soccer ball could be found at Ella Steven’s feet. She loved the game and worked to become the best on the field. But what sets her apart, is her uncanny ability to create opportunities for her team. Her work ethic combined with her athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character, make @ellastevens11 the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
2015/2016 National Awards:
- Ella Stevens is the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year
- Lucas Mendes is the 2015-2016 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year
The Gatorade State Player of the Year were given out previews. These award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of a similar criteria of three important aspects:
- Athletic Achievement — success made at the club, national or international levels of competition, and standout performances in their respective sport. Includes statistical production, honors, skill-set evaluation, leadership ability, overall impact on team success and historical context of accomplishments.
- Academic Excellence — review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, academic honors and distinctions.
- Exemplary Character — overall sportsmanship, but also membership and participation in positive activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community. State Player of the Year award winners are eligible for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in their respective sports. For complete program details, click here
The 12 national winners selected represent the nation’s best all-around high school student-athletes and are then eligible for Gatorade Male and Female Athlete of the Year. College commitments – when available – are listed.
2015/2016 National Winners
Alabama – JJ Williams, Alabama Christian Academy (Kentucky)
Alaska – Talon Stanley, South Anchorage
Arizona – Joshua Drack, Hamilton
Arkansas – Brady Rosenow, Conway
California – Elliot Smith-Hastie, Loyola (Boston College)
Florida – Esteban Calvo, Montverde Academy (Florida International)
Georgia – Josh Bronstorph, Dunwoody (Georgia Southern)
Hawaii – Tyler Ohata, Punahou School
Iowa – Leroy Enzugusi, Linn-Mar
Louisiana – Colin Ross, St. Paul’s School (University of Tampa)
Mississippi – Ridge Brohaugh, Madison Central
Nebraska – Ed Gordon, Creighton Prep
Oklahoma – Garrett McLaughlin, Heritage Hall School (SMU)
South Carolina – Marcelo Malpartida, River Bluff
Tennessee – Lucas Altman, Science Hill (Wofford)
Texas – Harris Partain, Wakeland (Central Arkansas)
Utah – Aidan Dayton, Maple Mountain
Virginia – Lucas Mendes, Washington-Lee (Virginia)
Washington – Bennett Lehner, Camas (Dayton)
Wyoming – Cameron Campbell, Laramie
Source/Photo Credit: Gatorade
