MERIDIAN, Idaho — Rocky Mountain High School senior Kaylan Walker has made history for the Grizzlies, becoming the first player to win the prestigious Gatorade Player of the Year award for softball.
Walker, who has signed a letter of intent to play at Dixie State University next year, led the Grizzlies (19-11) to a second-place finish at the 5A state tournament.
"She's probably the best all-around player I've seen in the 13 years I've been coaching in this league," Capital High head coach Shane Alder said in a press release. "She's also an excellent hitter with a lot of power who rarely strikes out."
This season, Walker batted 0.515, tallied 38 RBI's and hit 13 home runs.
She was also named the 2019 5A SIC player of the year, recording a slugging percentage of 0.989.
"She is the best defensive shortstop I've ever seen in the SIC," Alder added.
Walker, a three-time first team all-conference selection, is the first player from Rocky Mountain to win the award.
"There are a lot of good girls in the state, not just in the Valley, and to be singled out like this, it's just crazy," Walker said. "The whole thing is really exciting, it's an honor."
Classmate Gabe Hughes is the two-time reigning Idaho Gatorade baseball player of the year.