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Ben Perrin Wins Gatorade Montana Cross Country Runner of the Year Award

Flathead High School senior won Class AA state championship last fall

By Andy Viano
Flathead's Ben Perrin. Best of Preps on Nov. 28, 2018. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

Flathead’s Ben Perrin has been named the 2018-19 Gatorade Montana Cross Country Runner of the Year following a perfect senior season that saw him win all eight Montana High School Association races he entered, including the Class AA state championship.

Perrin becomes the third of his siblings to win the prestigious Gatorade award, which is handed out to the top athlete in his or her sport, regardless of classification. His oldest brother, Zach, was the Cross Country Runner of the Year following the 2012 season, and both Zach (2011-12) and Jake (2015-16) were named Gatorade Montana Track and Field Athlete of the Year during their prep careers. All three Perrin brothers have won Class AA state cross country championships.

Ben claimed his state title in Missoula late last fall, leading two other Kalispell runners across the tape with a time of 15:43.60. He also owns a state track championship, claiming the 3,200-meter title as a junior.

Gatorade has been honoring outstanding student-athletes in all 50 states in 12 different sports for more than 30 years. Cross country winners from every state, including Perrin, are now nominated for the National Cross Country Runner of the Year award, which will be announced later this month.