Wayzata High School Senior Is 'Runner of the Year'

senior Josh Thorson was recently named the 2011-12 Gatorade Minnesota Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Josh Thorson is the first WHS student to receive this honor. The award recognizes athletic excellence, a high standard of academic achievement, and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse. Thorson is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award. He joins an elite alumni association of past state award-winners in 12 sports.

Thorson raced to the Class 2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 15:29.9. A three-time First Team All-State selection, Thorson earned sixth place and was the second Minnesota competitor at the Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional championships, crossing the line in 15:38.5. He qualified for the 2011 Nike Cross Nationals Final where he finished 73rd in 16:15.

He has maintained an 11.49 GPA on a 12-point scale in the classroom. He is an accomplished vocalist in the WHS choir and has served as the online editor of the WHS Trojan Tribune and has volunteered locally on behalf of the National Honor Society.

“Josh Thorson is as impressive an athlete as I have ever coached,” said WHS boys cross country head coach Bill Miles. “He has been a leader of our team since his sophomore year and has proven to be someone who can step forward and say what needs to be said in order to motivate his teammates.”

(Editor's Note: The preceding information was found on the Wayzata School District website.)