Sam Affolder (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia) dominated New Balance with his relay running. (JOHN NEPOLITAN)
TRADITIONALLY, OUR AOY VOTING, at all levels of competition, has downplayed any relay considerations. Our rationale is that big baton times are the work of 4 people not just a single person. But we have always recognized the value of impressive splits relative to open times, so thus it is that Sam Affolder (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia) has come to be our choice as top prep boy of the indoor season. The fact that he ran on national record teams is irrelevant; what is relevant is that he had a sterling 4:06.21 on the DMR and an even better 4:06.19 in the 4 x Mile. And a 1:51.37 on the 4×8. His collection of times in open races was solid backup: 2:27.23 in the 1000 (No. 8 on the yearly list), 3:51.08 in the 1500 (No. 3), 4:09.68 in the mile (No. 6) and 9:11.74 for 2M (No. 16).
Honorable Mention: NBIN champions Micah Williams (Benson, Portland, Oregon), Mario Heslop (Franklin Township, Somerset, New Jersey) & Trey Knight (Ridgefield, Washington). Williams (6.60) moved to No. 3 on the all-time 60 list, Heslop (20.90) to No. 4 in the 200 and Knight (86-7½) to No. 2 in the weight. Knight also set a national record 67-11¾ with the international weight.
Previous HS Boys Indoor Athletes Of The Year
Virginia running powerhouse Loudoun Valley is the only school this century to have two different boys named Indoor AOY, as this year’s winner Sam Affolder follows ’16 leader Drew Hunter:
Year
AOY
Event(s)
2019
Sam Affolder (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia)
1000-2M/relays
2018
Mondo Duplantis (Lafayette, Louisiana)
pole vault
2017
—Duplantis
pole vault
2016
Drew Hunter (Loudoun Valley, Purcellville, Virginia)
distances
2015
Grant Holloway (Grassfield, Chesapeake, Virginia)
everything
2014
Devin King (Sumner, Kentwood, Louisiana)
pole vault
2013
Edward Cheserek (St. Benedict’s, Newark, New Jersey)
distances
2012
—Cheserek
distances
2011
Ryan Crouser (Barlow, Gresham, Oregon)
shot
2010
Nick Vena (Morristown, New Jersey)
shot
2009
Wayne Davis (Southeast, Raleigh, North Carolina)
hurdles
2008
—Davis
hurdles
2007
Walter Henning (St. Anthony’s South Huntington, New York)
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