Bartlett’s A’Lante Owens-Player named Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year for boys track and field

Coming off a senior season in which he dominated in both the long and triple jump — and also set a state record — Bartlett High’s A’Lante Owens-Player on Thursday became the fifth athlete in program history to be named Alaska’s Gatorade Player of the Year for boys track and field.

The 6-foot-3, 165-pound jumping specialist successfully defending his individual state titles at the Division I state championships as he led the Golden Bears boys team to the program’s first title in 12 years. With a leap of 22 feet, 5.75 inches, Owens-Player repeated as champion in the long jump, and with a leap of 46-1, he won the triple jump for the third year in a row.

“There were several impressive performances this year, but A’Lante went undefeated in long and triple jump during the high school season, setting school and a state record in the process,” Alaska Running Academy coach Rafael Echavarria said in a statement. “He definitely has a bright future.”

[Previously: Freshmen phenoms claim titles and several champions repeat on Day 2 of state track and field championships]

At the Nike Outdoor Nationals, Owens-Player earned All-American honors after he took fourth in the triple jump with a state record mark of 48-7.5. He also set new records at the Region IV meet in both the long and triple jump with marks of 22 feet, 10 inches and 46 feet, 10.25 inches.

“It’s a surreal feeling,” he said about making history at regions. “I didn’t think I was going to be here after starting track in seventh grade. I didn’t think it would evolve into this, but it feels amazing.”

This prestigious honor recognizes a student athlete for their scholastic excellence and exemplary character as well as their athletic prowess, all of which Owens-Player exemplified with his distinguishing feats in the pit, classroom and community prior to walking the stage at graduation last month.

In addition to maintaining a 4.16 weighted GPA, Owens-Player is member of the National Honor Society, volunteered locally on behalf of an annual food drive and participated in student government.

Owens-Player will take his talents to the next level this fall at the University of Oregon, where he hopes to make the track and field team as a walk-on.