A name that not many recognized nationally early in his high school career has shot up into high school history. The 2024 NXN Champion, Charlie Vause, received the Gatorade National Cross Country Player of the Year award from Grant Fisher this morning.
This honor has further engraved Vause's name in the history books alongside the great winners of Gatorade's past, including Grant Fisher. Fisher, a Nike pro athlete, recently broke two indoor world records in the last ten days, and now he's paying tribute to Vause in New Mexico.
Photo provided by Gatorade- Grant Fisher (left) and Charlie Vause (right)
This continues Vause's streak of breaking down barriers for New Mexico in high school running. Not only did he become the state's first Nike Cross Nationals winner, but he is now the first Gatorade National XC Player of the Year winner.
Watch the video above to hear Joshua Potts' interview with Charlie Vause and Grant Fisher after the award was presented to him this morning. Vause expands more on what winning this award means to him and the state of New Mexico.
February has only gotten sweeter for Vause, who announced his college commitment to Brigham Young University last week.
His commitment is special because of the continued lineage of NXN winners and All-Americans that attend BYU. The most recent NXN champion turned BYU runner is Aidan Troutner, and just prior to him, Casey Clinger. Vause is the third NXN winner to sign with the Cougars in just eight years, a clear representation of the culture and talent that is offered by the university in Provo.
Let's take a look at some of the performances that have earned Vause a well deserved offer to BYU, his New Mexico Gatorade State Player of the Year award, and now his Gatorade National Player of the Year award.