COVINGTON, Ga. – After a stellar, three-title performance at the 2017 State Track & Field Championships, Newton’s Elija Godwin has been named the 2016-17 Gatorade Georgia Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

It’s a first for Newton High track athletes, and a fitting designation, as Godwin took home gold medals in the triple jump, 200 and 400 meter dashes during Class AAAAAAA’s state meet.

Godwin, also a three-star safety on the Newton football team, snagged top honors in the 200 and 400 meters with finishing times of 21.01 and 46.40 seconds respectively. His triple jump of 47-feet, nine inches was enough to give him a state crown there as well.

The honor automatically qualified Godwin to be a finalist for the Gatorade National Athlete of the Year honor. In addition, Godwin is working toward qualifying for the Junior Olympics. The rising senior also has football honors from Ball State, Central Michigan, UMass, Miami-Ohio and The Citadel. He has maintained his desire to play football and run track in college, wherever he chooses to attend.