GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Grand Haven runner Seth Norder is ending his high school career with one more honor: Gatorade Michigan Boys Track & Field Player of the Year.
Norder is the first Boys Track & Field Player of the Year from Grand Haven High School.
"I was just grateful," Norder said. "It's a lot of years of hard work and culmination that came together."
On the track, Norder won the 1600-meter race at the national Brooks PR invitation with the second-best time in Michigan history, 4:01.94, all en route to earning All-American honors at the Nike Outdoor Nationals this past season.
"I hate to lose. It's been like that ever since I was a kid," Norder said. "I don't like when someone's better than me, so I put in all the work I can to be the best that I can."
"If I know I can be the best I can, I can compete with anyone. I showed that this past year."
According to Gatorade, the Player of the Year Award is given to the "top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community."
Norder has been a running camp counselor, youth soccer referee, and YMCA youth basketball referee.
"I have joy for these sports, and I like using it to help the kids below me... show where it can take them, how much of an impact it can have on them," he said.
According to Gatorade, Norder joins Benne Anderson (2022-23, Ottawa Hills High School), Zane Forist (2021-22, Carson City-Crystal High School), Hobbs Kessler (2020-21, Skyline High School) and Dylan Targgart (2019-20, Coldwater High School) as Boys Track & Field Player of the Year awardees.
Next up for Norder is Michigan State, where he committed to track and field.
Both of his parents were Spartans, which led to frequent visits to Lansing as a kid.
Before I became a runner, my plan [was] always to go to Michigan State," Norder said. "I ended up being a perfect fit."
"I just knew it was a place where I could trust my coaches, trust my teammates, have fun... be myself."
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