Marchegger named Gatorade runner of the year, signs with Pack

Sierra Lutheran’s Jared Marchegger has been named as the 2018-2019 Gatorade Nevada Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Marchegger has also signed to run cross country with the University of Nevada men’s cross country team and will run as a freshman during the Wolf Pack’s men’s cross country team’s inaugural season in the fall of 2019.

The Gatorade award is based on athletic and academic achievement as well as character on and off the field. Marchegger is eligible for the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year award to be announced this month.

The 6-foot, 130-pound senior raced to his third consecutive Class 2A individual state championship this past season with a time of 16:51.5, leading the Falcons to a second-place finish as a team at Boulder City’s Veterans Park. Marchegger’s time was the fastest among all divisions.

Marchegger also won the Small School division of the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional championships.

Marchegger is also one of the top long distance runners in the state in track. Last year at the NIAA 2A State Track Championships won titles in the 3,200 relay and 3,200 and placed second in the 800 and 1,600 to held lead Sierra Lutheran to a second place finish.

A talented musician, Marchegger has volunteered as an altar server at his church and has helped build and maintain bike trails in his community.

“Jared goes above and beyond what we ask him to do, with enthusiasm,” said Sierra Lutheran coach Steve Kubel. “At every practice he pushes himself to improve, and despite occasional injuries and his congenital scoliosis, he continues to be motivated.”

Marchegger has maintained a 3.81 GPA in the classroom.

As a part of Gatorade’s cause marketing platform “Play it Forward,” Marchegger has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing. He’s also eligible to submit an essay to win one of 12 $10,000 spotlight grants for the organization of choice, which will be announced throughout the year.

Marchegger recently signed with Nevada with his family and coaches present. Another one of Marchegger’s coaches, Matt Pendola summed up Marchegger: “grace, guts, and gratitude.”