Recruit Pendleton Receives National High School Award
6/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- University of Michigan incoming freshman Emily Pendleton (Lindsey, Ohio/Woodmore HS) was chosen from nearly 439,000 high school female track and field athletes nationwide as the Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year on Thursday (June 21).
Pendleton poses with the award at Thursday's press conference. (Courtesy Perry Reichanadter/Gatorade)
The award, announced while Pendleton is competing at the USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships at IUPUI, recognizes athletes with dynamic achievements both on and off the field and who are involved in their community.
Pendleton, an accomplished thrower who signed a National Letter of Intent with U-M last November, is a four-time Ohio state discus champion (2004-07) and is the state Division III record holder in the event with a mark of 183-3 that would have placed her second at this year's NCAA Outdoor Championships. In 2006, the future Wolverine grabbed discus titles at the Nike Outdoor Nationals and USA Junior Championships. She was also Ohio's state runner-up in the shot put this season (42-10).
Pendleton maintained a 3.90 grade point average while in high school and volunteers as a youth track coach, with a local food pantry, and with Teen Advisory Group, which offers guidance to area youth about life choices.
She is now a finalist for the Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year Award, which will be presented prior to the ESPY Awards in July. Past U-M athletes who have won the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year awards include Drew Henson (won baseball award, played football at U-M) and LaVell Blanchard (men's basketball).
Gatorade Player of the Year Site
Wolverines Nab Miler and Three Throwers (11/21/07)
Contact: Stacey Schwartz (734) 763-4423
