East Greenwich Reese Fahys repeats as 2020-21 Gatorade Rhode Island Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year
Since moving to Rhode Island for her sophomore season, East Greenwich High's Reese Fahys has done one thing in cross country.
Win.
She arrived after an impressive freshman year in New Jersey and has taken the state by storm. Fahys won the 2020 RIIL Girls Cross Country State Championship and was named the 2020-21 Gatorade Rhode Island Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year. This Last fall, she repeated as state champ and on Monday was announced as the 2021-22 Gatorade Runner of the Year.
The announcement shouldn’t have been a surprise. Fahys dominated the season and in the state’s biggest meet, she only reinforced how tremendous her talent is.
High School Cross Country: Fahys leads from start to finish at RIIL Girls Cross Country Championships
As a sophomore, Fahys worked her way to the front before making a move and running away from the pack. As a junior, Fahys led from start to finish and crossed the line in 17 minutes, 40.7 seconds. That put her an impressive 33.10 seconds head of Moses Brown’s Sophia Gorriaran, who’s a two-time Gatorade recipient for girls track.
Fahys excellence isn’t limited to her skills as a harrier or on the track. Fahys has maintained a weighted 3.75 GPA at East Greenwich High School and is a member of the school's Women Empowerment Club. She also volunteers as a lifeguard at the Kent County YMCA.
Last year, Fahys made history when she became the first East Greenwich girl honored by Gatorade for cross country. This year, she makes more history as the first athlete from EGHS to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Fahys is the second Avenger with two Gatorade awards — Jeff Pederson won for cross country and track in 2017-18 — and now holds half of the Gatorade awards won by East Greenwich girls. All told, EG athletes have been honored nine times by Gatorade.
Congrats to these female runners: Here is the 2021 Providence Journal Girls All-State Cross Country team
With Fahys' ability and work ethic, there’s no reason why she can’t go for a third next season. Cross country has had two three-time winners (Emma McMillan 2012-15, Ellie Lawler 2015-2018). A girl has three-peated 10 times in the history of the award, but Moses Brown’s Gorriaran could become the 11th if she earns a track honor this spring.
Plenty of big stories this fall: Here are the ones we ranked as the top five biggest in 2021 (non-football related)
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Gatorade Player of the Year 2021 is East Greenwich High's Reese Fahys
