The votes are in, and Marie Hostetler is once again the winner of the Girls Cross Country Player of the Year award from Gatorade. The Mid-Prairie senior has now won the award three consecutive seasons. In her last season in black and gold Hostetler claimed her third consecutive individual cross country state title in Fort Dodge in a time of 17:58. She also helped lead the Mid-Prairie girls to their third consecutive cross country team state championship.

Hostetler also competed on the regional and national scene on the Nike Cross Circuit. In the regional meet at Yankton, South Dakota, she finished third in a field of more than 250 runners in a time of just 17:27. That time qualified her for the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon where she finished 34th of more than 200 competitors. She spoke with KCII about her time at Mid-Prairie and her future plans. “The state meet and Drake Relays were incredible. I love just being there and that we get to run with all of the college and pro athletes. Mike Jay’s voice and the atmosphere are incredible. Everybody’s support when we go up there means a lot. Over the three days of state it’s so much pressure and I spend a lot of that time in my zone. As soon as that’s over with, and especially when it pays off so hugely, it’s worth it and a lot of fun. Getting to do that with my teammates is super awesome. Obviously our state championships were a lot of fun. Our team is super supportive of each other. I just want to thank all of the coaches for their time, support and help. I also think that the Mid-Prairie community is unmatched in their support of me and our team’s.”

She has maintained a 4.0GPA while participating as the student leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteering with the Special Olympics and youth track. She will attend Liberty University next year, majoring in special education and run cross country and track for the Flames, joining her older sister Anna.