Sparkman’s Charles Lewis Named Gatorade Track Player Of The Year

HARVEST- The Gatorade Company named Charles Lewis of Sparkman High as its 2018-2019 Gatorade Alabama Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year thus becoming the first athlete from Sparkman to win the coveted award.

“It’s an honor and I’m humbled about the award as I never thought I would win, as honestly, I didn’t think I had that good of season to earn this award,” said Lewis as he prepares to make his move to LSU in August. “As for me being the first from Sparkman, that shows my hard work and that sets me apart from many other athletes from Sparkman who can be lazy and not dedicated to their athletics. I’ve worked hard to be where I am now.”

The award distinguishes the 6-foot-3, 190-pound recent graduate of Sparkman as Alabama’s best boys track athlete in the state. He swept both the 100 and 200-meter events at the Class 7A State Track Meet. His personal-best time of 10.47 second in the 100 at June’s New Balance Nationals ranked him No. 11 nationally and a time of 20.96 in the 200 ranked him No. 12 in the country earning him All-American honors.

In March, Lewis signed an athletic scholarship with LSU after considering similar offers from a long list of schools narrowing his choices down to LSU, Alabama and Tennessee. He maintained a 3.13 grade point average, plans on studying sports medicine and has his sights set on his goal of making the U.S. Olympic Team.

“To go that far in track it will take a lot of work, commitment and dedication. I know I can do it, I just have to be ready to put myself through the efforts,” added Lewis.

The talented sprinter participated in multiple community service projects throughout his four years with the Senators’ program including work with the Boys & Girls Club, an elderly nursing home and is also a youth deacon with the Abundant Life Kingdom Fellowship Ministries.

Lewis is dating the top female track athlete from James Clemens in Ashlee Osaji who won two state titles at the State Track Meet and will soon attend Southern Miss on an athletic scholarship. Lewis said of their relationship, “We’re two athletes who motivate ourselves and we hope to stay connected through college.”

The award from Gatorade recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the track. Lewis is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Award to be announced soon.

“I know most athletes are not in my position and others do look up to me,” said Lewis. “I’m always careful at school, in public and at track meets as I remain humble of my success.”