Wyoming runner Sydney Thorvaldson stacking awards, records
RAWLINS, Wyo. (BVM) — Sydney Thorvaldson will leave Rawlins High School as one of the most decorated prep athletes in her state’s history no matter what comes of her senior year.
Already a three-time Gatorade Wyoming Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year, Thorvaldson earned her second straight Gatorade Wyoming Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award despite missing her junior outdoor track and field season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The five awards are the most for any runner in the state’s history since Gatorade began honoring athletes in 1985.
Not bad for a runner who comes from a school with an average enrollment of less than 450 students.
“In our little school she’s completely outstanding,” Rawlins head girls track and field coach Charli Fisher said. “I don’t know when we’re going to have another athlete come up that’s comparable. It’s pretty spectacular to have that athlete coming through our school.”
Prior to the cancellation of spring sports, Thorvaldson dominated the competition during the indoor season this past winter. She set meet records in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the Wyoming State Indoor Track & Field Championships in Gillette, Wyo. Thorvaldson claimed first in those three events at last year’s outdoor state meet as well and also ran anchor for the Outlaws’ winning 1,600 sprint medley relay team.
Last fall, Thorvaldson set a 3A state record in cross country with a winning time of 17:32.69. Between her two sports, she now owns nine state records and 15 state titles. And she’ll likely add to those numbers as a senior.
“I knew she was going to be pretty spectacular,” said Fisher, who was also Thorvaldson’s middle school physical education teacher. “She just loved running. She didn’t care about what place she got when she was that young. … It’s been pretty phenomenal to follow her and watch her grow just as an athlete and as a student as well.”
Thorvaldson has excelled outside of state competition as well. At the Simplot Games held in February in Pocatello, Idaho, she set a record in the 3,200 with a winning time of 10:06.58, which ranks as the nation’s No. 8 clocking time in prep history.
Although Thorvaldson has not yet made a college commitment, her abilities will likely earn her a scholarship with a major NCAA Division I program, and it won’t be surprising if her talent takes her beyond college competition.
“As long as she continues to stay healthy and continues to be coached well I definitely see her at that Olympic level,” Fisher said.
