BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) Bozeman High freshman Heidi Turner, and Laurel senior Patrick Casey have been named Montana's Gatorade cross country runners of the year.

Turner is a freshman. She won the state Class AA cross country title by nearly 30 seconds while helping the Hawks to their first team title in 24 years. She also placed fourth at the Nike Team Northwest Regional.

Casey won the state Class A championship, to cap an unbeaten season. He later placed 14th at the Foot Locker West Regional. He won the National Junior Olympic title last month in Lawrence, Kansas.

Gatorade has been giving state awards for Football, Basketball, track and Soccer for years, but this is the first year a cross country award has been given.

Both Turner and Casey are eligible for national Gatorade awards.

Information from: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-13-08 1536CST | save this article / add to your favorites list