ALAMOGORDO’S FOLTZ NAMED NM POY
CHICAGO (June 6, 2018) — In its 33rd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Adam Foltz of Alamogordo High School as its 2017-18 Gatorade New Mexico Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Foltz is the third Gatorade New Mexico Boys Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Alamogordo High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Foltz as New Mexico’s best high school boys soccer player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in June, Foltz joins an elite alumni association of past state soccer award-winners, including Alexi Lalas (1987-88, Cranbrook HS, Mich.), Steve Cherundolo (1996-97, Mt. Carmel HS, Calif.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, N.Y.), Heather O’Reilly (2001-02, 2002-03, East Brunswick HS, N.J.), Matt Besler (2004-04, Blue Valley West HS, Kans.), Jack Harrison (2013-14, Berkshire HS, Mass.), Mallory Pugh (2014-15, Mountain Vista HS, Colo.).
The 5-foot-11, 155-pound senior forward led the Tigers to an 18-3-2 record and the Class 5A state championship this past season. Foltz scored 38 goals, passed for 11 assists and netted both goals in a 2-1 win over Albuquerque Academy in the state final. The Class 5A Player of the Year and a two-time First Team All-State selection, he concluded his prep soccer career with 91 goals and 20 assists.
Foltz works 20 hours a week at an area surgery center because he plans on pursuing medicine as his profession. Also a classic car enthusiast, he has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach and has donated his time to multiple community service initiatives through his church. “Adam was definitely at top level this season,” said Omar Hernandez, head coach of Hatch Valley High. “His strength is his power. He was not the most finessed player but kept it to basics and powered through the ball each time.”
Foltz has maintained a 3.45 GPA in the classroom and represents one of the state’s top academic candidates in meeting the Gatorade award’s broad criteria. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
Foltz joins recent Gatorade New Mexico Boys Soccer Players of the Year Charles Touche (2016-17, Albuquerque Academy), Miguel Lucero (2015-16, Atrisco Heritage Academy), Sergio Rivas (2014-15, Cibola High School), Guillermo Diaz (2013-14, Gadsden High School), Luke Lawrence (2012-13, La Cueva High School), Brad Carabajal (2011-12, Eldorado High School), Nathanael Pacheco (2010–11, St. Pius X High School), Darren McAfee (2009-10, Albuquerque Academy), Pat Pacheco (2008–09, Taos High School), Victor Rodriguez (2007-08, Las Cruces High School), and Seth C’de Baca (2006-07, Sandia Preparatory High School) among the state’s list of former award winners.
As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Foltz will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support. 12 spotlight grants – one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year.
RELEASE COURTESY KELSEY RHONEY/GATORADE
