Hillhouse’s Moore honored as state’s best by Gatorade
Gary Moore Jr. from Hillhouse has been named the Gatorade State Player of the Year for boys outdoor track.
He became the first athlete in Connecticut history to win State Open titles in the shot put, discus and javelin.
Moore’s discus throw of 192 feet, 10 inches at the CIAC Class L state championship meet broke a 53year-old meet record. He won the discus with a throw of 187-10 at the State Open, 30 feet more than his nearest competitor. He also won the New England title in that particular event.
He also won the shot put (56-5.5) and the javelin (185-9) at the State Open and a little over a week later, the hammer throw (201-7). The 6-foot-1, 239pound Moore captured all three events in Class L and at the SCC Western Sectional meet. His throw of 66-4.75 in the shot put was also set a state record.
He capped his season by placing fourth in the discus
and sixth in the hammer throw at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor, earning All-American status in both disciplines.
In addition to being the Gatorade recipient, Moore was also the GameTimeCT State MVP.
Moore has volunteered locally on behalf of a youth track team as well as food donation drives for people in need.
“Gary Moore always competes at a high level in
three events,” said Mike Gambardella, coach at Shelton High. “He also exhibits great character and sportsmanship. He’s very deserving.”
Moore has maintained a weighted 4.14 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on scholarship at Baylor University this fall.