Gatorade honors Flathead's Grossman

Seth Grossman of Flathead High School has been named Montana Boys' Track and Field Athlete of the Year by Gatorade.

Grossman wrapped up a standout prep career with the Braves last month at the Class AA state track meet in Butte by winning the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs in convincing fashion.

His winning time in the 1,600 was 4:17.84, which was the fifth fastest in school history. His margin of victory at state was 3.17 seconds.

Grossman's time in the 3,200 was 9:28.04. His winning margin in that race was 3 1/2 seconds.

Grossman was undefeated on the season in the 3,200. He had a season-best time of 9:27.27 in that event, which he clocked at the Archie Roe Invitational on May 5 in Kalispell.

"Seth is a strong-willed, coachable athlete who developed a competitive attitude whereby second place was not good enough," said Flathead boys' track coach Dan Hodge.

"His hard work and determination pushed him to two state championships."

Hodge said the one thing that set Grossman apart from other athletes was his drive.

"His internal motor revs at a high speed," Hodge said.

"He does not accept defeat. He wants to be the best. He just doesn't run a race, he competes every time he runs. "

Flathead has had three other athletes win the Gatorade state award in track.

Former Flathead running star David Vidal won it twice, 2000 and 2001. He was a state champion in the 800 and 1,600.

Vidal owns the four fastest times in school history in the 1,600. His best is 4:10.56.

Vidal went on to have a very successful track career at Stanford.

Zoe Nelson was a three-time winner, 2003-2005. The distance superstar is currently enjoying a brilliant collegiate career at the University of Oregon.

And Heather Smith, javelin and weight events, won it in 1990.

Smith attended Northern Montana College, now MSU-Northern.

"It's an honor for our track program at Flathead High School that we have the athletes that can gain that distinction, recognition," Hodge said of the Gatorade award.

Grossman is the ninth Flathead athlete honored by Gatorade on the state level. The list also includes: Chelsey Lorenz, softball pitcher, 2003; Brandon Judge, soccer forward, 1999; Bernie Babcock, soccer forward, 2000; Mike Herzog, soccer forward, 2001; and Jelisa Guy, soccer forward/midfielder, 2006.

Other area Gatorade winners for track include: Cody Henning, sprinter, Whitefish, 2004; Kyle Wies, distance runner, Polson, 1997; Bree Fuqua, weight events, Polson, 1999; and Brooke Allen, javelin, Columbia Falls, 1986.

Other area Gatorade winners are: Chuck Mason, football linebacker, Bigfork, 1989; Matt Luedtke, basketball guard, Ronan, 2000; Bobby Dulle, soccer forward, Whitefish, 2002; Lily Coble, soccer forward, Polson, 2003; Elizabeth Pitman, soccer forward/midfielder, Whitefish, 2002; and Amy Roberts, volleyball outside hitter, Eureka, 2007.

Grossman is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys' Track and Field Athlete of the Year award. That award will be announced later this month.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program, established in 1985, recognizes a winner in each state along with the District of Columbia in seven prep sports - football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track, volleyball and softball. Rise magazine directs the selection process with help from sporting experts and the media.

Grossman also excelled in the classroom with a 3.71 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was active away from school, working with the elderly at Heritage House, tutoring elementary schools students and promoting recycling in the Flathead Valley.

Grossman will attend the University of Wyoming on a track scholarship in the fall.