Angelina Napoleon Named Gatorade's National POY

Jun 29, 2023

* On Thursday, Angelina Napoleon was announced as Gatroade's National Track and Field Player Of The Year

Photo Credit: Tony Morales / MileSplit

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The outdoor season has been a historic one for Angelina Napoleon.

And on Thursday, Napoleon, one of New York's top all-time distance runners, was awarded one of the country's highest honors, earning Gatorade's National Track and Field Player Of the Year award.

The recent Allegany-Limestone (NY) High School graduate's and NC State signee's biggest accomplishment was in the 2K steeplechase.

This season she broke her own record twice -- and was challenged along the way -- moving the all-time barometer down to 6:18.41, which came at the NYSPHSAA State Championships.

Along with breaking the 2K steeplechase record, she also claimed a PR of 2:03.97 in the 800m, which was fourth-best in New York history and third-best in the country for the 2023 season. This spring, she also clocked a 4:46.38 personal best in the mile, which puts her at U.S. No. 31.

At New Balance Nationals Outdoor, she successfully defended her 2K steeplechase title in 6:19.53 and finished second in the 800m with a 2:05.53.

Napoleon was able to successfully become the first American female athlete in high school history to run sub-6:20 in the event three times. Napoleon sits at No. 8 in the 2K steeple in the world this season and is the No. 16 all-time World U20 runner.

Along with her accomplishments on the track, Napoleon was a leader at Allegany-Limestone and her senior class secretary. Napoleon volunteers at a local Girls On The Run, a youth empowerment program.

She maintained a weighted 3.99 GPA throughout her high school career.

* Angelina Napoleon broke the national high school record in the 2K steeplechase at the NYSPHSAA State Championships

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Gatorade National Track And Field Player Of The Year Winners Since 2007