Lia Pili is 2021 NM Girls T&F Gatorade Athlete of the Year

Photo by Adam Maxwell

2021 New Mexico Girls Track and Field Gatorade Athlete of the Year

Kuupualiliapihamekealoha Pili 

"Lia" Pili has etched her name in New Mexico Track and Field history with her being announced as the 2021 New Mexico Girls Track and Field Gatorade Athlete of the Year. The Centennial senior wrapped up her season with 5A state titles in the shot put and discus in her first season competing in New Mexico. Pili was undefeated in those events throughout the season hitting personal bests in the shot put with a 45-8 and a 139-10 in the discus.

An appointed youth elder in her church for two years, Pili planned lessons and activities for the girls under her charge. Commonly called "Lia," she also served as part of a humanitarian youth group for several weeks while building a preschool in Yucatan, Mexico. Pili has also donated her time at a charity clothing store, an elderly home for Alzheimer's patients and founded an anonymous teen service group named P2SA (Proud 2 Stand Alone), helping area families in need and raising awareness for suicide prevention. "Lia is a first-class person," said Centennial High throwing coach Aaron Ocampo. "She's an excellent student and very passionate about working to be the best thrower she can be. Though she was already very good at throwing when she came to us, she is highly coachable, as evidenced by the fact she owns the No. 10 javelin throw in the state this spring despite having just taken up the apparatus. I've been coaching football and throwers for over 20 years and Lia is at the top of my list of people/athletes that I have coached."

Lila's 2021 Season Stats


2021 - Outdoor

Discus

128-7
1st
Finals
Jun 18, 2021
139-10
1st
Finals
May 14, 2021
133-10
1st
Finals
May 08, 2021
136-6
1st
Finals
Apr 23, 2021

Javelin

110-9
2nd
Finals
Jun 18, 2021
112-4
2nd
Finals
May 14, 2021
112-10
1st
Finals
May 08, 2021
110-6
1st
Finals
Apr 23, 2021

Shot Put

39-10.5
1st
Finals
Jun 18, 2021
45-8
1st
Finals
May 14, 2021
43-4.5
1st
Finals
May 08, 2021
40-1
1st
Finals
Apr 23, 2021

Pili has maintained a 3.94 unweighted GPA in the classroom. She remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.


Photo by Jaren Brooks

This accomplishment also comes as being the first thrower to be named athlete of the year for New Mexico in well over a decade. for the full press release from Gatorade click on the link below.

Full Gatorade Press Release