Eagle High's Liz Brandon was named Idaho's 2008-09 Gatorade girls track and field athlete of the year Thursday, becoming the first athlete from her school chosen for the honor.

The junior distance runner led the Mustangs to the 5A state title in May by winning the 1,600 and 3,200. Also Idaho's 2008-09 Gatorade girls cross country runner of the year, Brandon broke the tape in the 1,600 in 5 minutes, 4.55 seconds and set state meet record in the 3,200 with a winning time of 10:51.28. Brandon also placed third in the 800 (2:19.94) and will enter her senior season as a three-time individual state champion.

"Brandon had an extraordinary track and field season," Eagle head track and field coach Greg Harm said. "She ran a nearly impossible combination of three events, knowing that it might be hard for her to win an individual championship. She placed the team above her own interests. But rather than give up on her personal goals, she turned adversity into a win-win for her team and herself."

Brandon maintains a 4.0 GPA in the classroom and has volunteered on behalf of an animal shelter and as a peer math tutor.

She joins recent Gatorade Idaho girls track and field athletes of the year Nicole Nielsen (2007-08 and 2006-07,Borah) and Sarah Cardinal (2005-06, Blackfoot).