Addison “Addie” Dempsey was a model of consistency on the high school cross country scene this past season.
The Cardinal Mooney Catholic High senior finished among the top three in all 12 of her races, and her times ranged from 18 minutes, 45 second to a personal-best of 17:20 over the 5k (3.1-mile courses).
For her efforts, Gatorade named Dempsey as the 2023-24 Florida Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
The first runner from Cardinal Mooney to be chosen, Dempsey joins volleyball player Jordyn Byrd, now at the University of Texas, as Florida Gatorade Players of the Year for the Cougars.
Another area athlete who has received the award recently is former Braden River High girls basketball standout O’Mariah Gordon, who earned the Florida Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year twice.
As a senior, Dempsey won eight of her 12 races, finished second one and third twice, including at the Class 2A Florida Cross Country State Finals in 18:01.
She was selected to run in the Foot Locker Championships South Regional in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she finished 18th in 17:39, the top finisher from Florida in the event.