By Josh Reed
Updated: 1 hour ago Published: 1 hour ago
After a solid senior season in which he was one of several potent scoring threats for the only team to go undefeated at the Division I level, South Anchorage’s Jack Hickox was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Alaska boys soccer on Friday.
“I think winning (Gatorade Player of the Year) is a great honor and comes from years of hard work and determination, but I think my environment helped me a lot,” he said in a statement. “Having great teammates who pushed me in practice and a great coach have really helped me become the player I am today, so it wouldn’t be possible without them. We really had a special group last year to be able to achieve what I think is the closest thing to a perfect season.”
Hickox is the fourth player in program history to receive the honor and the first in nearly a decade since another South midfielder, Talon Stanley, received it in the 2015-16 season. Late last month, he helped lead the Wolverines to their second Division I state championship in three years.
“Before the season, my goals were to first win the state championship and then win the GPOY,” he said. “Being able to do both as well as being undefeated was a dream come true. “It is fantastic to make my family and friends proud of all these achievements.”
The 5-foot-10 senior midfielder led the Wolverines to an undefeated record of 17-0-1 and was the complete package. Hickox recorded 15 assists and scored 21 goals, including the lone goal in South’s 1-0 victory over rival West High School in the state semifinals. During his time with the program, he was a two-time All-State Tournament selection and a 2024 First Team All-Cook Inlet Conference honoree.
“Jack Hickox is the most complete player in the state and, to me, the main reason South was undefeated this season,” Service High School head coach Dan Rufner said in a statement. “He tackles well and controls the center of the field. He doesn’t try to do too much with the ball, but rather makes quick touches with excellent distribution, always looking to help his teammates. When he has the opportunity to score, he has a strong and precise shot.”
This award celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for their excellence on the field, as well as in the classroom and in their respective communities. Hickox maintained a 4.38 weighted GPA and was a local volunteer at the Jordan Morris Foundation. He also donated his time as a peer tutor and youth soccer coach.
In the fall, Hickox will attend San Diego State University, where he hopes to continue his football career at the NCAA Division I level. He has been in communication with the Aztecs coaching staff regarding his progress and plans to major in business administration and finance.
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