St. Paul's Student Named Best Track & Field Athlete In Alabama

Gatorade and ESPN have selected Neal Tisher of St. Paul's Episcopal School as the 2008-09 Gatorade Alabama Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track.

Tisher won four individual state championships (pole vault, heptathlon, 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles) this season and led the Saints to their fourth consecutive Class 5A championship. The A student was Vice President of her senior class. She also tutored elementary school students and volunteered at youth volleyball camps and swim meets.

“In the 33 years I’ve coached girls at the high school level, seldom, if ever, have I encountered anyone with the talent and determination to excel that Neal possesses,” said St. Paul’s Episcopal head coach JimTate. “She absolutely thrives on competition and the challenges of competing against nationally-ranked athletes.”

Tisher will attend the University of Mississippi this fall a on track and field scholarship.

Tisher is the fifth Gatorade Alabama Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year to be chosen from St. Paul's Episcopal School.
2006-07 Mary Carleton Johnston (Discuss)
2005-06 Mary Carleton Johnston (Discuss)
1994-95 Camille Root (Heptathlon)
1993-94 Camille Root (Heptathlon)