Elkhorn South runner Gabe Hinrichs earns Nebraska Gatorade award
OMAHA, Neb. (BVM) — Baseball was Gabe Hinrichs’ spring sport of choice when he was a freshman at Elkhorn South High School. But two years later, Hinrichs has not only chosen the track over the diamond, he’s the top boys track and field athlete in the state.
On July 8, Hinrich was named the Gatorade Nebraska Boys Track and Field Player of the Year after racing to first place in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs at the Class A state meet this past spring. The 5-foot-11, 145-pound rising senior also took second in the 800-meter run while helping the Elkhorn South Storm capture their second state team title in program history and their first in Class A.
Hinrichs, who planned to run track in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic brought an end to all spring sports, transitioned to running full time at the start of his junior year after playing Legion baseball last summer. He also runs cross country for Elkhorn South and was the team’s top finisher last fall when he placed second overall, six seconds behind Lincoln North Star’s Liem Chot at the Class A state meet.
“In my 20 years as a coach, Gabe’s work ethic, self-discipline and high level of toughness is unmatched,” Elkhorn South head coach Tim Ebers said in a Gatorade press release. “His offseason consistency and commitment to training has been second to none. His attention to detail with the little things stands out.”
Hinrichs’ state-winning 3,200 time of 8 minutes, 59.66 seconds ranked No. 72 nationally among 2021 prep runners and his personal record 1,600 time of 4:12.40 ranked No. 97. He’ll have the chance to improve on both of those marks as a senior next year.
