Morgan Herbst Wins CA Girls Gatorade T&F Player of the Year

The perfect cherry on top arrived for Morgan Herbst at the end of a legendary season for the University of Arkansas commit. Gatorade named her California's 2025 Gatorade Girls' Track and Field Player of the Year. (Full CA Girls' Gatorade T&F Player of the Year List)

Herbst came into the 2025 season with the ultimate target on her back after an undefeated 300m hurdle season, a CIF State Championship in the 300m hurdles, and a Nike Nationals Championship in the 400m hurdles last year. She delivered on all that was promised and then some this year, making her one of the best runners in California high school history. 

This season got off to a fast start when she ran 40.51 in March to go under 41 seconds for the first time and secure the U.S. No.1 spot. However, hiccups did arise for Herbst in April, when her 18-race win streak in the 300m hurdles was broken in back-to-back weeks at the Arcadia Invitational and the Mt. SAC Relays. In the process, she set a personal record of 40.26 at Arcadia, moving her into the top 10 all-time list. These losses have given Herbst the necessary boost needed to make history in the next two months. 

In May, Herbst broke the 40-second barrier in the 300m hurdles with a time of 39.95, also setting a new California state record. Only three other women have broken the 40-second barrier, including two World Champions, Sydney McLaughlin and Lashinda Demus. 

Then at the CIF State Track and Field Championships, she broke her own California state record and moved up to U.S. No.2 all-time in the 300m hurdles at 39.64, only behind Sydney McLaughlin. 

In Gatorade's press release, they note Herbst's volunteer efforts with the Junior Mavericks Youth Running Club and on-campus youth meets at Carlsbad High School. She will continue running track and field at the University of Arkansas this fall with her twin sister, Makenna Herbst. 

Gatorade Athlete of the Year Press Release