CHICAGO – Honoring the nation’s best high school athletes for 19 years, Gatorade Thirst Quencher announced its State High School Track and Field Athlete of the Year award winners Tuesday.

Gatorade has awarded the Maine High School Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year award to Brian Vail of Deering High School; the Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year award when to Cassie Hintz of Old Town High School.

Vail won the 400 meters and was the runner-up in the 800 meters at the state championships this season and was awarded the Jim Daly trophy for outstanding performance in the Expo regular season. Academically, Brian maintains an A average and is a member of the cross country team. He is also a member of YES (Youth Engaged in Service). He will attend Lafayette College in the fall.

Hintz won individual state titles in both the 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters this year.

“She’s the most focused and consistent distance runner I’ve coached in more than 20 years at Old Town,” said coach Rod White.

Only a sophomore, Hintz maintains an A+ grade average and is a member of the band.

For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information and a list of past winners, visit www.gatorade.com.