After leading the Fort Mill Yellow Jackets to a historic playoff run this past spring resulting in the second state championship for the boys’ soccer program, Braden Gritz has been named Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
A recent graduate of Fort Mill High that will now be heading to the College of Charleston to play college soccer, led the Jackets to a 16-8-1 record and the 5A state championship. The state title was the first for Fort Mill boys’ soccer since 2012.
Gritz scored 25 goals this past season, including 11 goals in the post season. He is a two-time All-State selection and finished his career with a school record 56 goals for Fort Mill.
The Gatorade award goes to the nation’s top high school athletes for their accomplishments both on and off the field. Gritz volunteered locally for the Henry Kalungi Foundation collecting and donating used clothing and soccer equipment to benefit children in Africa. He graduated with a 4.09 GPA.
Gritz is the second Fort Mill High athlete this academic year to be recognized by Gatorade as runner Alivia Cleveland was recognized as state runner of the year by Gatorade for her performance in guiding Fort Mill to the girls’ cross-country state championship and winning her second state consecutive individual title.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
