After becoming the first girls cross-country runner from Wasilla High School to claim an individual state title in the 2024 Division I state championship race and emerging as a rising star in the endurance running community, sophomore Hailee Giacobbe became the first athlete in program history to be named Gatorade Alaska Girls Cross Country Player of the Year on Thursday.
The 5-foot underclassman won the DI title with a time of 19 minutes, 4.5 seconds, breaking the tape 4.5 seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor and leading the Warriors to sixth place as a team. Giacobbe was the top Alaskan finisher at the Nike Cross Northwest Regional Championships. She was also named Division I Region III Runner of the Year.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to receive Gatorade Player of the year and was completely surprised,” Giacobbe said in a statement. “I would not be receiving this award without the amazing support of my coaches, family, and teammates. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and helped me through this journey.”
[Previously: East’s Staples breaks a five-decade drought with state cross country title; Chugiak girls earn four-peat]
The award not only recognizes a student-athlete for their athletic dominance, it also acknowledges academic excellence and extraordinary character on and off the trails. Giacobbe maintained a 3.48 GPA and volunteered locally as a youth running coach.
“She just started off strong, not winning at the beginning of it but I think that helped push her,” Wasilla head coach Leslie Varys said. “She’s always striving for excellence. The most important aspect of her winning it is that it feels like a team effort. She’s a leader on the team and has the support of the team. While it’s an individual award that she was able to get, it’s really nice that her team feels really proud of her and it’s a uniting thing as well.”