McKay Madsen's historic season ends with one of track and field's highest honors, winning California's Boys Track and Field Gatorade Player of the Year. This reward comes on the heels of one of the best shot put and discus seasons in California high school history.
Last week, before the announcement, the Clovis North High School graduate finished his season at the USATF U20 Championships and Nike Outdoor Nationals. His best performances occurred at NON, where he finished second in the shot put and fourth in the discus. Madsen's 68-11.5 throw to earn second in the shot put was also his second-best throw of the season.
Since his shot put and discus wins at the 2024 CIF State Championships, there was no doubt Madsen would be the thrower to beat in California this year. In 2025, he secured 12 shot put and 14 discus victories, notably repeating as champion in both throwing events at the CIF State meet.
Madsen is ending this season as one of the top 5 throwers in the U.S. for the discus and shot put, with his most notable performance being his 69-11 shot put throw at the CIF State Track and Field Championships.
Outside of the throwing ring, Madsen maintained a 4.13 GPA while also serving as an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. His community service efforts around the Fresno area, as well as his extraordinary efforts in the classroom, also helped him earn this reward from Gatorade.
Now that Madsen's high school career is over, he's off to begin his 2-year mission for the Latter Day Saints Church in Argentina. After his mission, he is committed to playing football and throwing shot put and discus at Brigham Young University.
McKay Madsen joins an elite list of great and honorable athletes to come out of California by earning this honor. Review the complete list of California's Boys Gatorade Player of the Year HERE.
