Evan Thornton-Sherman named Vermont's Gatorade boys track athlete of the year

St. Johnsbury's Evan Thornton-Sherman has been named Vermont's high school boys track and field athlete of the year, Gatorade announced Wednesday.

The senior is the fourth Hilltopper boy to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high academic achievement and exemplary character.

The 5-foot-11, 130-pound Thornton-Sherman set a state record in the 1,500-meter run at the Division I state meet this past season, leading the Hilltoppers to a second-straight team title. Thornton-Sherman’s winning time of 3:51.51 ranked No. 6 nationally among prep competitors in 2022 at the time of his selection, according to the news release. He also owns the D-I state mark in the 3,000 and will graduate with the indoor state records in the 1,500 and 3,000.

"Evan has become the most driven athlete I have coached in my 30 years in track and field," St. Johnsbury coach Chip Langmaid said in a statement. "He trains relentlessly and is driven to become the best. He has attacked the Vermont record book with a vengeance. His determination and fearless style has pulled his competition beyond what they had dreamed prior to the season."

Receiving recognition:Essex girls end title drought, St. Johnsbury repeats at D-I track and field championships

Top performers:Brunache breaks state's oldest record and other Vermont stars who wowed at nationals

A saxophone player in the school band, Thornton-Sherman helps run the St. Johnsbury Academy Recreation Department’s summer track program. He has also volunteered locally as a lifeguard and at the Great Vermont Corn Maze, the largest recreational maze in New England, the release said.

Thornton-Smith has maintained a weighted A average in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the University of Maine this fall.

Through Gatorade's “Play it Forward” program, Thornton-Sherman has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.