Congratulations to Chase Gilbert, Gatorade Connecticut Girls Cross Country Player of the Year

CHICAGO, IL – Gatorade has announced Lyme-Old Lyme High School senior Chase Gilbert as the 2025-26 Gatorade Connecticut Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. 

The company in a Saturday news release said the award recognizes Gilbert as the best high school girls cross country athlete in the state. Considered one of the top honors in high school sports, the award celebrates athletes across the country for excellence in their sport, academics and community service. 

Gilbert, a 5-foot-4 senior, won the 2025 Cross Country State Open meet with a time of 17:50.08, breaking the tape 14.68 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Gilbert also won her fourth straight Class S state meet in a time of 17:51.94, leading the Wildcats to a third-place finish as a team. She earned First Team All-Region honors by placing eighth at the Brooks Northeast Regional Championships in Boston, MA, and took 30th at the Brooks Cross Country Championships in San Diego, CA. 

Jan Merrill-Morin, an Olympian and world record holder who coaches Gilbert in cross country and track at the high school, credited the entire coaching team for guiding Gilbert’s success on and off the course.

 “I am thrilled that Chase Gilbert has earned the Gatorade Player of the Year award for girl’s cross country in Connecticut,” Merrill-Morin said. “Chase shared this goal with me last year and has diligently worked toward the achievement every day.”

In a space on the Gatorade nomination form for a quote from an opposing coach, Haddam-Killingworth High School head cross country coach Matt Diglio recognized Gilbert as an exceptional competitor.

“Chase has been a dominating runner over the last four years, always running her best in the biggest races of the season,” Diglio said. “While she’s a talented athlete, Chase has also impressed me with her modesty and humility. She’s the total package.”

The president of her high school class, Gilbert has volunteered locally as a mentor and coach with the Run Like A Girl organization. 

Gilbert has maintained an A average in the classroom. Last year, she signed a written letter of athletic aid to run at the University of Virginia this fall. 

Previous Gatorade players of the year range from professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, including Jordan Hasay (2008-09, Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School, CA), Katelyn Tuohy (2017-20, North Rockland High School, NY) and Jane Hedengren (2024-25, Timpview High School, UT). 

From the pool of state winners, one national winner will be selected. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others to help evaluate and determine the winners in 12 sports. 

Every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.

More information is available at playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

Editor’s Note: This report was updated with additional quotes.