Kathleen Young also known as "KD" is Illinois girls AOY (Mary Ann Magnant photo)
The Gatorade State Girls Track & Field Athletes of the Year were selected based on athletic production and impact in the 2015-16 season. Each winner also demonstrated high academic achievement and exemplary personal character, including volunteerism, sportsmanship and community leadership.
For the complete list of Gatorade State Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year winners, click here.
THE WINNER: Kathleen Young
THE BASICS
School: Warrensburg-Latham (Warrensburg, Ill.)
Grade: Junior
Height: 5-foot-10
Athletic achievement: She won both the shot put and discus at the Class 1A state meet this past season, leading the Cardinals to a third-place finish as a team. Young hurled the shot put a meet-record 51 feet, and launched the discus 155-0. Her season-best effort of 51-11.5 in the shot put ranked as the nation's No. 4 performance among prep competitors in 2016 at the time of her selection. She also won the shot put at both the Stanford Invitational and the Iron Wood Throwers Classic.
Academic excellence: Young has maintained a 4.97 GPA.
Exemplary character: She has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics and youth track programs.
THE PRAISE
"She is by far the hardest-working athlete I have ever coached," said Warrensburg-Latham coach Tammi Davis. "She sets realistic and meaningful goals, and once those are reached, she sets another one to go after."
THE FUTURE: Young will begin her senior year of high school this fall
