RICHMOND, Va. (August 13, 2026) - The ECNL announced today that more than 50 athletes across ECNL Boys and ECNL Girls have been named 2026 Gatorade Players of the Year in their respective states. In addition, SLSG Navy's Maddie DiMaria was named the Gatorade Best Female Player of the Year, awarded to the top female player across all the National Players of the Year in each sport.
Since 1985, Gatorade has recognized the most outstanding high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character. In total, 23 ECNL Boys athletes and 34 ECNL Girls athletes were named state Players of the Year.
View the full list of ECNL winners, below.
ECNL Boys Gatorade Players of the Year
Alabama: Orlando Avalos (Alabama FC)
Arizona: Sayan Hobbi (CCV Stars)
California: James Obleda (Beach FC (CA))
Colorado: Ethan Orchard (Real Colorado)
Connecticut: Hayden Xhokaxhiu (FSA FC)
Florida: Robert Calazans (Sporting Jax Soccer Academy)
Georgia: Ryan Gottschalk (Concorde Fire Platinum)
Illinois: Marshall DeGraff (Galaxy SC)
Iowa: Tate Duax (VSA Rush)
Louisiana: Ellison Haynes (LA Krewe Rush)
Maryland: Landon Beckman (Pipeline SC)
Minnesota: Elvis Hernandez Paz (Minnesota Thunder)
Mississippi: Tanner Nichols (Mississippi Rush United)
Nevada: Gavin Flickinger (LV Heat Surf)
North Carolina: Henry Boner (Charlotte SA)
Ohio: Londen Sears (Ohio Premier)
Oklahoma: Juan Razo (Tulsa SC)
Oregon: Callan Spear (United PDX)
South Carolina: Brody Pike (CESA)
Tennessee: Simon Hetrick (Tennessee SC)
Texas: Mason Kutch (Solar SC)
Washington: Aaron Leon (XF Academy)
Wisconsin: Liam Cahill (FC Wisconsin)
ECNL Girls Gatorade Players of the Year
Alabama: Kati Anne Shepherd (Alabama FC)
Arizona: Kendall Pechacek (Utah Royals FC-AZ)
Arkansas: Ella Dietz (Arkansas Rising)
California: Felicity Nguyen (San Diego Surf)
Colorado: Reese Morgan (Real Colorado)
Connecticut: Maeve Staunton (FSA FC)
Delaware: Sarah McFarland (Penn Fusion SA)
District of Columbia: Chanel Wright (Maryland United FC)
Florida: Teagan Jahns (Orlando City YS)
Idaho: Campbell Wilson (Boise Thorns FC)
Illinois: Emerson Burke (Eclipse Select SC)
Iowa: Dreya Kern (FC United Iowa)
Kansas: Sara Claire Michaelis (OK Energy FC)
Kentucky: Joanna Bryant (Ohio Elite SA)
Maryland: Lauren Hemann (Bethesda SC)
Massachusetts: Emmy O'Donnell (FC Stars)
Michigan: Camryn Huhn (Plymouth Reign SC)
Minnesota: Bella Naples (Minnesota Thunder)
Mississippi: Lynley McCarley (Tupelo FC)
Missouri: Maddie DiMaria (SLSG Navy) - 2026 Gatorade Best Female Player of the Year
Nebraska: Ansley Throener (Gretna Elite Academy)
New Hampshire: Cassidy Engle (FC Stars)
New Jersey: Gianna Hanf (Match Fit Surf)
Ohio: Mia Stevens (Ohio Elite SA)
Oklahoma: Camryn Regier (OK Energy FC)
Oregon: Frances Reuland (Portland Thorns)
Pennsylvania: Lilia Calvert (HEX FC Bucks)
South Carolina: Ella Petry (South Carolina United)
Tennessee: Jayla Blue (FC Alliance)
Texas: Carolina Reyna (Sting Austin)
Utah: Chloe Sadler (La Roca FC)
Virginia: Taylor Morrell (VDA)
Washington: Saleen Koszorus (XF Academy)
West Virginia: Annabelle Skidmore (Pittsburgh Riverhounds)
About the ECNL:
The ECNL is the nation's leading youth soccer development platform for America's top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.
www.TheECNL.com
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