Grand Forks Red River's Logan Arason wins Gatorade North Dakota Track and Field Player of the Year
Jun. 29—GRAND FORKS — Before the North Dakota track and field season this spring, Grand Forks Red River's Logan Arason said he just wanted to finish the season healthy after the start of his high school career was impacted by the pandemic and an injury.
During his junior season this spring, Arason proved what he can do when healthy.
On Wednesday, Arason was named the Gatorade North Dakota Track and Field Player of the Year.
Arason joins Ryan Todhunter (2009) as the only other Red River boys athlete to win the award. Previous Red River female winners include Shelby Frank (2018, 2019), Ashley Rone (2015), Briona Reynolds (1998, 2000, 2001) and Stephanie Wigness (1995).
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Arason won the discus throw and placed second in the javelin at the Class A state meet.
Arason was the first Red River male athlete in 25 years to qualify for all three throwing events at the state meet and placed 13th in the shot put.
His top javelin throw of 189 feet, 9 inches at the Eagle Relays ranked No. 48 nationally among prep competitors in 2022 at the time of his selection.
A member of the Red River High School Leadership Council, Arason has volunteered locally as a youth track coach.
"Logan is a joy to have on our team," Red River coach Jeff Bakke said. "He works extremely hard in the offseason and has been rewarded for all of his time and effort. He was a rock all season for us."
Earlier this month, Arason competed in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Philadelphia. He placed 15th in the discus and 18th in the javelin.
Arason has maintained a weighted 4.03 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.
Arason also participates in basketball and football at Red River.
In football, Arason is one of the area's top 2023 recruits. With junior recruiting just now picking up, Arason already holds multiple NCAA Division II offers including offers from Winona State, Minnesota State Mankato and Northern State.
