Abby Faith Cheeseman wins Gatorade state runner of year for 3rd straight year

Webb School - Bell Buckle girls cross country star Abby Faith Cheeseman needs no validation that she’s the state’s top distance runner. 

For good measure, this week she was named 2023-24 Gatorade Tennessee Girls Cross Country Player of the Year for the third year in a row. 

She was the first Webb cross-country runner to win the award two years ago. Cheeseman tied the state record for most cross country titles last season with her fourth straight in Division II-A. She will get the chance to break Independence legend Kathy Kroeger’s record this upcoming fall. 

Cheeseman finished the race in 16:44.09, over three minutes faster than Columbia Academy's Janie Reams.

She also finished 13th at Foot Locker nationals to earn Third Team All-America honors and won the Race of Champions at the Great American Cross Country Festival. 

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Cheeseman is now eligible for the Gatorade National Player of the Year in her sport. 

Her off-field work includes being a member of Webb’s honors orchestra and volunteering locally on behalf of the Trinity Presbyterian Church. She has a 4.52 GPA. 

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.