Ashley Ridge's Ellenburg receives state honor

Ashley Ridge's Jackson Ellenburg was named Gatorade Gatorade state runner of the year for cross country. Ellenburg is the first cross country runner from the school to receive the honor. 

The junior won his second consecutive Class AAAA individual state championship with a time of 15 minutes, 30 seconds this past season.
 

Ellenburg has maintained a 4.37 weighted grade-point-average in the classroom. A member of his school's chess and Ultimate Frisbee clubs as well as the orchestra, he has volunteered locally at multiple charitable road races, as a youth athletic instructor and as part of the Swamp Fest field day for students with special needs.

"I really like Jackson Ellenburg," said Thane Williams, head coach at rival Fort Dorchester. "He is hardworking and diligent both as a runner and as a student at school. He is friendly and respectful outside of school. He is helpful to his teammates and a good leader."

Ellenburg is now a finalist for the national award.