What's happening: Gatorade announced Monday that Ramsey High School’s William Kirk is the 2023-24 Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year. Kirk is the first Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year to be chosen from Ramsey High School.
Why it matters: The award, which celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community, distinguishes Kirk as New Jersey’s best high school baseball player.
What they’re saying:
“William has been a four-year varsity starter as both a pitcher and fielder, spending time in the outfield and first base,” shared Ramsey High School Head Baseball Coach, Paul Urbanovich. “He is a better person and teammate than he is a player. For four years he has always put the team first. He has made it a priority to be a better teammate and as he's gotten older, a better leader.
Will is an excellent ambassador for our program, playing the game with respect, while competing at the highest level. William’s athletic accomplishments are well documented and speak for themself, but to me the one thing that separates him from most students his age is his mental maturity. A competitor that understands how to maintain control of his composure in times of chaos.”
Go deeper: From CEOs and coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star group of alumni that includes Gary Sheffield (1985-86, Hillsborough High School, Fla.), Alex Rodriguez (1992-93, Westminster Christian School, Fla.), Clayton Kershaw (2005-06, Highland Park High School, Texas) and Max Clark (2022-23, 2021-22 & 2020-21, Franklin Community High School, Ind.).
What’s next:
👀 View the NJ.com High School Sports story here.
