Olsen named Gatorade player of the year

Alta senior Ammon Olsen keeps piling up the accolades after leading the Hawks to their second straight 5A football title last month.

You all already know that Olsen was named the Deseret News 5A MVP last week. Well, Olsen has another honor to add to that one.

The Hawks quarterback was chosen as the 2008-09 Gatorade Utah Football Player of the Year last Thursday. Olsen is only the second Alta player to be chosen for this award. Olsen will now be a finalist for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award, which is scheduled to be announced later this month.

The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletic and academic excellence as well as character on and off the field. Olsen fits those parameters well.

On the field, He completed 193-of-306 passes for 3,201 yards and 35 touchdowns to lead Alta to a 12-1 record and a 5A championship. Olsen also rushed for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns on 117 carries.

In the classroom, Olsen has maintained a 3.90 GPA and has volunteered in multiple community service projects assisting local elderly people and helping out at the Utah Food Bank.

Other recent Gatorade Utah Football Players of the Year include Justin Sorensen (2007-08, Bingham), Jase Hill (2006-07, Sky View), and Riley Nelson (2005-06, Logan).