CHICAGO — Nathan Neil of Bozeman has been named the Gatorade Montana Boys Track & Field Player of the Year.
Neil, who was also recognized as the Gatorade Montana Boys Cross Country Player of the Year in January, is the fourth player from Bozeman High School to receive this honor, according to a press release from Gatorade.
This award acknowledges excellence both on the field and in academics and community involvement.
Neil, a senior standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 160 pounds, broke four state records in the past season. His notable achievement includes a time of 8:35.32 in the 3,200-meter run, ranking second nationally among high school competitors this spring and seventh in high school history. Neil also set a new state record in the 2-mile run by finishing second at the national Brooks PR Invitational in 8:36.73, ranking third nationally in 2024 and ninth all-time. He set another state record in the mile with a time of 4:00.76, and received All-American honors with a fourth-place finish at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Neil also clocked a state-record 4:04.89 in the 1,600-meter run at the Class AA state meet, where he also won the 3,200 event.
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Neil, a member of the National Business Honors Society and the Rotary Club, has been actively involved in volunteer work. He has supported the Pack The Sack food insecurity initiative, which provides food to hungry school children, as well as Project Connect, which focuses on student mental health and wellness. He is also engaged in his church youth group.
Rich Gonzalez, editor of PrepCalTrack, praised Neil’s exceptional performance in 2024, stating, “Nathan Neil elevated the performance levels in Montana to new heights this year, breaking four state records and making a mark in prep history. He is not only a remarkable athlete but also a young leader.”
Neil has maintained a 3.91 weighted GPA and has committed to compete on scholarship at the University of Washington this fall.
