Stone named Gatorade ROY for 3rd time

The Gatorade Company announced on Monday that Homewood High School senior Will Stone has been named the 2018-19 Gatorade Alabama Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year for the third time.

Stone also won the award, which is given to the top runner in each state, as a sophomore and junior.

"This award is truly a testament to his hard work and perseverance not only this year, but in his drive every year, in every practice and in every meet," Homewood head cross-country coach Josh Donaldson said via email. "To win the Gatorade Player of the Year one time is a huge accomplishment, but to win it three years in a row speaks to his continued drive for success."

In the fall, Stone captured his third consecutive Class 6A state cross-country title. He completed the 5K course at Oakville Indian Mounds Park in 15 minutes, 26.58 seconds to become only the third three-time individual state cross-country champion in AHSAA history.

His triumph propelled the Homewood boys to their seventh consecutive crown.

Over the course of the season, Stone also won the Chickasaw Trails Invitational, Hewitt-Trussville Husky Challenge and 6A-3 Sectional. He ran his fastest 5K in 15:17.3 at an October meet in Georgia. 

After state, Stone recorded a 13th-place finish at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships in Charlotte, N.C. He was only three spots away from qualifying for nationals.

Stone, who swept the distance events at the 6A state indoor track and field meet earlier this month, will continue his career at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.

Donaldson foresees a bright future for Stone in college and beyond. 

"Will is a special young man, with many gifts and talents," Donaldson said, "...No matter where he goes, those that have the privilege of interacting with him will see what I have seen for a long time in his leadership, character, perseverance and selfless attitude that will take him wherever he chooses to go, and I can not wait to see where his talents take him and the lives he impacts." 

Stone is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Runner of the Year award, which will be given later this month. 

Past Homewood recipients of Gatorade awards include Lainey Phelps and Kiara Williams. To read the full press release announcing Stone’s selection, click here.