Jun 30, 2022

Yvonne Stinson

Alamogordo's Yvonne Stinson was named the 2021-2022 New Mexico Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year today for her accomplishments this past season. Yvonne won the 5A girls 100m, 200m, and high jump state titles in May. She currently ranks among the top 100 high jumpers in the U.S. with her personal best jump of 5'8". She achieved new personal best to win the 100m title in a time of 11.94 which lands her among the top 5 fastest New Mexican girls' times in the history of the event.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Gonzalez as New Mexico's best high school boys track & field athlete. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Track & Field Player of the Year award to be announced in July, Gonzalez joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Lolo Jones (1997-98, Roosevelt High School, Iowa), Allyson Felix (2002-03, Los Angeles Baptist High School, Calif.), Robert Griffin III (2006-07, Copperas Cove High School, Texas), Grant Fisher (2014-15 & 2013-14, Grand Blanc High School, Mich.) and Candace Hill (2014-15, Rockdale County High School, Ga.).

Stinson has maintained a 3.29 weighted GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

Stinson has been an active parishioner of her local church community and takes on many of the household responsibilities for her family, especially helping to care for her younger step siblings, since both of her parents are active-duty military. "In her last season competing in New Mexico [due to her parents' recent military transfer], Yvonne has progressed from a state-meet podium contender to a nationally ranked athlete," said Jaren Brooks, MileSplit New Mexico editor.