Being a decent athlete takes practice. Being a good athlete takes time and effort, and being a great athlete requires all three. To become a Gatorade Player of The Year means you do what other student athletes haven’t yet achieved every time you step on the mound, the field, or run on the track. The consistency of the aforementioned skills along with countless others (grit, perseverance, stamina) is what solidifies greatness.
While acknowledging today’s athletic superstars, Gatorade has also kept an eye on the new school of athletes showing their own sparks of greatness. This peek over the shoulder has resulted in the Gatorade Player of The Year program in which students nationwide are honored for their athletic prowess, their commitment to education and their generous attitude toward community initiatives.
The first group of student athletes, ranging from boys and girls basketball, volleyball, cross country and football, were highlighted by Complex back in April. The final six student athletes listed below are just as fast, dominant, nimble, and they want to win.
Meet the 2023-24 Gatorade National Players of The Year.
Christian Miller, Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Player of the Year
When you were in high school, did you qualify to be on the U.S. Olympic team as a relay participant? Well, Christian Miller did. The track & field star finished fifth in the 100-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic Trials and he’s only 18. Prior to this awesome achievement, Miller broke the tape in the 100 at the PURE Athletics Sprint Meet, where clocking in 9.93 seconds set both a U18 World Record and a U20 American record. So to say that Miller is fast is a gross understatement.
While running what seemed like at the speed of light on the track, Miller also maintained a B average in school while also volunteering with local organizations in his hometown of Saint Johns, Florida. Miller also helps out with a youth club team and assists with coaching young athletes on the St. John’s Striders track team.
Miller’s talents has also led him to sign a National Letter of Intent to compete on scholarship at the University of Georgia this fall.
Sadie Engelhardt, Gatorade National Girls Track & Field Player of The Year
Sadie Engelhardt is accustomed to winning. The Ventura High School distance runner finished this season as the national leader in not one, but four events. The 5-foot-9 junior is a three-time Gatorade State Player of the Year in track, and flew through the finish line at a breathtaking 4:28.46 seconds to break the national high school record in the mile at the HOKA Festival of Miles.
Sadie also broke the California record in the 1600 with a 4:32.06 at the state meet, the fastest time ever in a high school-only meet.
Sadie’s commitment to winning and doing her best also bleeds into her studies. She’s maintained a 4.59 GPA and has made a verbal commitment to compete on scholarship at NC State beginning in the fall of 2025, and when she’s not killing it in school and on the track, she helps clean trails and other places to run around Ventura County.
Konnor Griffin, Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year
Don’t take your eyes off of Konnor Griffin. No, seriously, don’t. The 6-foot-4 shortstop and right-handed pitcher has a penchant for stealing bases. He stole an impressive 87 bases last season and only got caught twice. Griffin also hit nine home runs to go with 39 RBI, leading the Jackson Prep Patriots to a 39-4 record.
But if you think the 215-pound high school senior is just brawn, you’re sadly mistaken. When he isn’t being a complete phenom on the field, Griffin is maintaining an A-average in the classroom and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at Louisiana State University this fall and was just drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Griffin embodies everything that qualifies someone to be a Gatorade Player of the Year. Athletic prowess, a commitment to his education and a giving spirit. Griffin has volunteered his time with local organizations whose aim is to help those less fortunate. He’s especially passionate about participating in youth literacy initiatives in association with elementary schools in his community.
Yeah, we’ll be hearing more about Konnor Griffin.
Addisen Fisher, Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year
Addisen Fisher doesn’t play small. The 5-foot-11 right-handed pitcher and outfielder led the Bend High School lava bears to the Class 5A state title this past season, which may have looked easy but required leadership skills and an athleticism you only get from constant practice.
As a three-time Gatorade State Player of the Year (2020-23), Fisher recorded an on-base percentage of .767 and slugged 1.583 en route to an OPS of 2.350. But the high school senior’s skills don't start and stop with softball. She’s maintained a 4.13 weighted grade point average and has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball on scholarship at UCLA.
Yet somehow, the Bend, Oregon native still finds time to help others. Fisher has consistently volunteered with students who are intellectually and physically challenged and helps them learn basic life skills. She also gives her time to the Red Cross as a peer tutor. As part of her responsibilities with the National Honor Society, Fisher organizes food and blood-donation drives at her school.
Ransford Gyan, Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year
When you’re the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year, that comes with some… attention, which translates to opponents who want to make it hard for you on the field. But for Ransford Gyan, the spotlight only helped to hone a different skill. It was no longer about him making the winning point but creating opportunities for others to do it. The 5-foot-4, 135-pound senior midfielder passed for 14 assists this past season, leading the Gray Bees (15-1) to the state prep tournament title game.
Academically, the St. Benedict’s Preparatory School senior has maintained a 3.68 GPA in the classroom and like many of his other Gatorade Player of the Year compatriots, he’s signed a National Letter of Intent. He’ll take his fancy footwork to play soccer on scholarship to Clemson University this fall.
But Ransford isn’t just about Ransford. Since 2020, the Newark, NJ native has volunteered his time on behalf of Newark’s St. Mary’s Parish Toussaint Food Parish. He also teaches five-and six-year-old players with the CSA Newark Roots Program some of his tricks on the field and on Saturdays, he helps the monks at Newark Abbey feed the unhoused.
Maddie DiMaria, Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year
Maddie DiMaria has already made history on top of having an explosive athletic year. The Cor Jesu Academy student is the first freshman to take home the national award for Girls Soccer. The soccer forward and midfielder led the Chargers to a 21-4 record and the Class 3 state championship this past season all while maintaining an impressive 4.18 grade point average.
DiMaria, like others, also understands the power of giving back. She’s an active member of her school’s Green Team Club which aims to raise environmental awareness. Yes, DiMaria is a freshman, and yes, she still has time to show and prove, but we’d put our money on her going very, very far.