Bradley Recruit is Gatorade Iowa Boys Soccer Player of the Year

As a state honoree, Jack Dunn becomes eligible for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Jack Dunn Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Soccer 6/12/2017 12:56:00 PM

CHICAGO - Bradley Soccer recruit Jack Dunn (Davenport, IA/Bettendorf H.S.) has been selected the 2016-17 Gatorade Iowa Boys Soccer Player of the Year, making him eligible for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year, according to a release from The Gatorade Company Monday.

In its 32nd year honoring the nation's best high school athletes, the Gatorade Player-of-the-Year awards program recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, as well as high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. The list of past soccer state award winners includes Alexi Lalas (1987-88, Branbrook HS, MI); Steve Cherundolo (1996-97, Mt. Carmel HS, CA); and Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy, NY).

A 6-foot-2 defender, Dunn anchored a Bettendorf HS backfield that recorded 15 shutouts in 18 games, while chipping in four goals on offense, leading the Bulldogs (16-2-0) to the Iowa Class 3A state semifinals. Bettendorf allowed just two goals in the regular season, both in the same game. A first-team class 3A all-state selection by the Iowa High School Coaches Association as a junior in 2016, Dunn was named to the 2017 Des Moines Register All-Iowa Elite TEam, which recognizes the top players among all classes in the state of Iowa.

Dunn has maintained a 3.48 GP in the classroom and he has volunteered locally as a youth soccer coach and referee. He also has donated his time as part of multiple community service initiatives through his church youth group.

"Jack puts himself and his teammates in excellent positions to deny goal-scoring opportunities," said Corbin Stone, head coach of Pleasant Valley High School. "His impact for Bettendorf is immeasurable; he is the glue that keeps them together and on track."

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Dunn will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will 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. Twelve spotlight grants – one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year.

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit www.gatorade.com/poy.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#31 Jack Dunn: D; 6' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#31 Jack Dunn
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: D

Bradley Recruit is Gatorade Iowa Boys Soccer Player of the Year

As a state honoree, Jack Dunn becomes eligible for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year

Players Mentioned

#31 Jack Dunn

Players Mentioned

#31 Jack Dunn