RUNNING: Glacier's Annie Hill named Gatorade Montana girls cross country athlete of the year

Glacier sophomore Annie Hill was named the Gatorade Montana girls cross country athlete of the year on Thursday, the company announced in a press release.

This is the first time Hill has won the award and the first time a Kalispell runner claimed the honor since Zach Perrin was given the boys award in 2013.

Bigfork’s Makena Morley won the previous four awards.

Hill was dominant this cross country season, winning her second Class AA individual state championship in a state-record time of 16:30.7 and led the Glacier girls to a second place team finish before winning the Nike Cross Northwest and Foot Locker Cross West regional championships this fall.

Hill lost just one race in 2015, finishing 22nd at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

With the success in the field, she has also maintained a 4.0 GPA in the classroom.

“It’s always been a goal,” Hill said of winning the award. “It’s pretty cool.

“I think I had a really good season. I was really happy with my improvement ... I want to keep getting better and maturing in my racing.”

Hill said she plans on taking it easy during the indoor season this winter to get ready for the Wolfpack’s spring season.

“I might do one indoor meet,” Hill said.

“I’m really going to focus on building a base and getting ready for track.”