Bullis Freshman Mya Arrendell '29 Named 2025-26 Gatorade Maryland Girls Track & Field Player of the Year
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Bullis Freshman Mya Arrendell '29 Named 2025-26 Gatorade Maryland Girls Track & Field Player of the Year
Bullis School is celebrating an extraordinary milestone as Mya Arrendell '29 has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Maryland Girls Track & Field Player of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors in high school athletics. According to The Baltimore Sun, Arrendell was just one of three freshmen to receive the distinction among 100 male and female athletes across the country.
Presented annually to the nation's most outstanding student-athletes, the Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes excellence on the track, in the classroom, and in the community. Now in its 41st year, the program has honored some of the sport's biggest names—including Olympic champions Sanya Richards and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone—and Mya now joins that remarkable legacy.
In a freshman season that captured national attention, Arrendell established herself as one of the fastest and most versatile young sprinters in the country.
At the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championships, she earned dual All-American honors, finishing as the national runner-up in the 100-meter dash with a blazing 11.27, the No. 4 time in the nation among high school girls this season. She also anchored Bullis' national championship 4x400-meter relay team, helping the Bulldogs cross the finish line first in 3:34.12.
Her remarkable season didn't stop there. Arrendell posted a personal-best 23.23 in the 200 meters, ranking No. 14 nationally, and won the Freshman 400-meter title at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in 52.88, the No. 18 time in the nation. Earlier in the year, she made history by setting the national freshman indoor record in the 300-meter dash with a time of 37.42.
While her accomplishments on the track have been nothing short of exceptional, Arrendell's impact extends far beyond competition. She maintains an A average, is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, serves on Bullis' Black Student Union, and gives back as a youth mentor with the Iconic Force Track Club, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
"I would say freshman Mya Arrendell stands out to me the most," said Paul Whittaker, head coach at Mount de Sales Academy. "She leads all of Maryland in the 100, 200, and 400."
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one athlete from each state and Washington, D.C., across 12 sports, honoring not only elite athletic performance but also academic achievement and exemplary character. From the 610 state winners selected each year, one national winner is chosen in each sport.
As part of Gatorade's commitment to creating opportunities through sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact organization. Since the program's inception, more than $6.4 million has been awarded to over 2,200 organizations nationwide.
For Bullis, Mya's recognition is a testament to her relentless work ethic, remarkable talent, and commitment to excellence in every aspect of student life. As she prepares for her sophomore year, this national honor is only the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career.
Congratulations, Mya, on this incredible achievement! The entire Bullis community is proud of you and can't wait to see what's next.