Stanford signee and Liberty grad Keyshawn King named Gatorade track athlete of the year

LIBERTY — Keyshawn King added one more honor to his high school resume' before enrolling at Stanford to compete on the track and field team.

On Thursday, King was named the Gatorade boys track and field athlete of the year in South Carolina. He is the second Liberty track athlete to earn the honor, joining Junior Alexander who earned the accolade for the 1992-1993 season.

This season, King won his third straight triple jump championship in Class AA, while also taking second in the long jump. 

More:Little things lead to big triple jump for Liberty star, Stanford signee Keyshawn King

More:Local track star Keyshawn King has No. 1 triple jump in nation

More:Keyshawn King honored by Friends of Sarlin Library, Liberty Ladies League

More:Keyshawn King signs with Stanford

He also recorded the nation's top triple jump in April, leaping 51 feet, 4.25 inches at the Bojangles Classic in Seneca. 

Off the track King, an avid musician, volunteered with a worship band every week before school, and was a member of the Liberty band. He has also volunteered as a coach for youth track and basketball. 

He graduated with a 3.98 grade-point average.

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, King can select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. All Gatorade winners have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support.