Summit XC star Max named Oregon Prep Female Runner of the Year
Fiona Max says: 'I feel like that award speaks more for my coaches and the people supporting me through my season than anything'
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Summit High School cross country standout Fiona Max won another award this week, as she was named Oregon's Prep Female Cross Country Runner of the Year.
The Oregon Sports Awards awarded Max the honor Tuesday, which became the latest on her already-lengthy resume.
It comes only a few months after Gatorade crowned Max the Oregon Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, for the second year in a row.
As much as these are individual awards, Max told NewsChannel 21 Wednesday they are also a testament to the hard work and success of the rest of the team, especially the coaches.
"They get a lot of gratification from seeing your success, but it's nice when it feels like there's something for them, too," Max said.
Max beat out teammate and fellow senior Teaghan Knox for this award.
She said this award feels special for a couple reasons. For one, it allows her to reconnect with the cross-country world, which has been an afterthought since the start of this year.
And the other reason…
"I think the biggest thing right now is that we're all lacking closure no matter what you've been doing even if it's underwater basket weaving,” Max said. “We're all lacking closure at this point, so I think it helps with that."
Max, and her twin sister Isabel, will be taking their talents to Princeton University in the fall.
After an incredibly decorated high school career, Max shared some advice for younger females in the sport.
"Rather than tying your self-worth to running and making it everything, let running be something that makes your life richer," Max said.
Max is also a talented Nordic skier, guitar player, singer and student, graduating from Summit with a 4.05 GPA.
Two other Central Oregon athletes are up for similar awards. Ridgeview's Rylee Troutman is in the running for Oregon’s Prep Volleyball Player of the Year, and Mountain View's Beau Ohlson is nominated for Oregon’s Prep Male Wrestler of the Year.
Those results should be announced some time next week.
