Claire Ayers has been named the Washington Missourian Athlete of the Year, sponsored by First State Community Bank.
Ayers, a 2019 Washington High School graduate, had a standout career as a two-sport athlete in cross country and track.
During her senior season, Ayers captured her third career all-state cross country medal, finishing the Class 4 girls race in ninth place in a time of 19:29.05. Ayers is a four-time cross country state-qualifier.
During the track and field season, Ayers claimed state honors in three events.
Ayers cruised to the state championship in the girls 800-meter run, posting a time of 2:16.06, more than three seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.
Ayers also earned all-state honors in the girls 1,600-meter run, finishing in fourth place in a time of 5:14.74.
Ayers also anchored Washington’s girls 3,200-meter relay team that captured state honors with a seventh-place finish in a time of 9:49.91.
For her career at WHS, Ayers was a 13-time All-GAC performer, a 14-time All-District runner, an 11-time state qualifier, and a nine-time All-State medalist, including a two-time state champion on the track and a three-time top 10 finisher in cross country.
In the classroom, Ayers held a 4.0 grade-point average.
Ayers will continue her academic and running career at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. She is the daughter of Bryce and Stacey Ayers.
Union’s Demetrius Clark also was recognized for the honor.
Click here for more details on Ayers being named the Washington Missourian Athlete of the Year.
Claire Ayers