Noah Valyo, a senior at Athens Drive High School, has been selected as the 2023 Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year for boys cross country. He is the first athlete from Athens Drive to receive this award in boys cross country.

Valyo, standing at a height of 5 feet and 9 inches and weighing 135 pounds, achieved victory in the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional Championship during the most recent season with a personal best time of 14:40.80. As a result, he was recognized with first-team all-region honors.

Valyo achieved a new record at the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state championship in the fall, crossing the finish line at the Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in a time of 15:05.45. This surpassed the previous record set in 2016 by over seven seconds and was only four seconds away from breaking the overall state championship record.

Valyo led Athens Drive to their first ever boys cross country state title at the NCHSAA championship. Additionally, he remained undefeated against in-state runners during his senior season, also claiming victory at the Great American XC Festival.

Valyo received the title of HighSchoolOT Honors Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year and was chosen to be a part of the HighSchoolOT All-State Team.

When Valyo is not participating in cross country, he completed an internship in sports management. He has utilized the knowledge acquired from the internship to aid the Athens Drive athletic department in creating content, managing social media, and providing logistical support.

Valyo holds a GPA of 4.17 at Athens Drive High School. He has committed to run for NC State starting in the upcoming fall season.

Source: highschoolot.com