Sports

HHS's Genovesi named Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year

By Steven L. Tietz

June 22, 2010 | 1 comment

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The awards continue to pour in for three-time Homestead state track champion Gabe Genovesi as this afternoon it was announced that he was named Gatorade's Wisconsin Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Genovesi, who led the Highlanders to their first state team title in 46 years, set a new state record in the 800 (his 1:51.55 was ranked 12th among all preps nationwide at the time of this announcement). Further, he anchored both the 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams to school record state championship efforts.

The 6-2, 180-pound Genovesi, who will attend Akron University in the fall on a soccer scholarship, beat out a heady field of competitors this year, including returning award winner Matt Widule of Menomonee Falls, who repeated as state high hurdles champion, helped set a new state record in the 800 relay and finished a narrow second in the 300 hurdles.

"I am thrilled to have won the Gatorade Award, but even happier that they had plenty of athletes to choose from in our state this past season," Genovesi said. "It was a very good year for Wisconsin track and athletes and I think we will hear from a lot of them in the college ranks in the future."

Genovesi, a 3.33 GPA student who is also a youth soccer coach and did extensive work on behalf of a campaign to collect shoes and socks for disadvantaged children as well as for the MACC Fund, praised his coaches Dan Benson and Todd Brawner and his teammates for their efforts to make this dream season happen for the Homestead team.

"I remember Coach Benson my freshman year saying to me, 'You could be one of the best runners to come out of Homestead'," Genovesi said. "He continually encouraged me to do my best. When Coach Brawner arrived it was as if all the pieces fell into place."

Benson couldn't imagine a better team leader.

"Everytime Gabe stepped on the track this season, we pretty much knew it was over," Benson said. "As a coach, that's a great feeling."

Genovesi is thrilled to have the oppportunity to play for the NCAA division I runner-up Akron soccer team. There's also a strong possibility that he may run for the track team too.

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