Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Gatorade Media Lab
Hernandez Named Gatorade National Player of the Year in Boys Soccer
6/12/2019 4:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Incoming freshman Omar Hernandez won the top award for high school boys soccer players.
CHICAGO -- Wake Forest incoming freshman Omar Hernandez was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in boys soccer on Tuesday evening, the organization announced.
Hernandez becomes the second incoming Demon Deacon to win the award in the last five seasons. Jack Harrison received the honor for the 2014-15 soccer season before playing at Wake Forest in 2015.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Hernandez as the nation's best high school boys soccer player
Hernandez, who also earned Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors for a second-consecutive season, led Dalton High School to an undefeated 23-0 ranking and the top spot in the national rankings.
After totaling 16 goals and 17 assists during his senior campaign, Hernandez caps off his high school career with 78 goals and 64 assists, both school records.
"We're extraordinarily proud of Omar for his accomplishments both on and off the field in high school," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "We can't wait to get him here and get his career started as a Demon Deacon."
As a part of Gatorade's cause marketing platform "Play it Forward," Hernandez also has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing. He is also eligible to submit an essay to win one of twelve $10,000 spotlight grants for the organization of his choice.
Hernandez and the Deacs open the 2019 season with an exhibition against Furman on Aug. 18.
Hernandez becomes the second incoming Demon Deacon to win the award in the last five seasons. Jack Harrison received the honor for the 2014-15 soccer season before playing at Wake Forest in 2015.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Hernandez as the nation's best high school boys soccer player
Hernandez, who also earned Gatorade Georgia Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors for a second-consecutive season, led Dalton High School to an undefeated 23-0 ranking and the top spot in the national rankings.
After totaling 16 goals and 17 assists during his senior campaign, Hernandez caps off his high school career with 78 goals and 64 assists, both school records.
"We're extraordinarily proud of Omar for his accomplishments both on and off the field in high school," head coach Bobby Muuss said. "We can't wait to get him here and get his career started as a Demon Deacon."
As a part of Gatorade's cause marketing platform "Play it Forward," Hernandez also has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national youth sports organization of his choosing. He is also eligible to submit an essay to win one of twelve $10,000 spotlight grants for the organization of his choice.
Hernandez and the Deacs open the 2019 season with an exhibition against Furman on Aug. 18.
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