One of the state’s all-time best distance runners is no doubt Ansley Moore. The Banks County standout won all her individual state meet events, making her one of the most decorated all-time track athletes. She’s now a back-to-back BLITZ Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3x State Titles – 800, 1600, 3200
3x Region Titles – 800, 1600, 3200
800 PR: 2:18.94
1600 PR: 5:03.84
3200 PR: 11:12.66
7x State Titles (Track & Field)
12x Region Titles (Track & Field)

Ansley Moore won a mind-boggling SEVEN state titles and 12 region titles in distance events in her career, sweeping the 800/1600/3200 at region every single year. This year, she won them all including at the State Championships. She was almost entirely unbeaten this season, save one 2nd-place run in the 3200 at sectionals. Moore, a standout in XC and basketball who has signed with Piedmont University, is one of the most decorated distance runners in North Georgia history.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Ansley Moore – 71.5 pts (9 1st-place votes)
2. Joanna Miller – 64 pts (7)
3. Marleigh Dale – 41 pts (1)
4. Teah Gales – 31 pts (1)
5. Mary Kate Ball – 26 pts (3)
6. Camden Thomason – 18.5 pts

Voting included our 21-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Moore won the vote, but it wasn’t a given. Joanna Miller was right behind her with seven 1st-place votes, and five different finalists received at least one 1st-place tally.

HISTORY OF TRACK & FIELD AOY

• 2026 – Ansley Moore – Banks County SR
• 2025 – Ansley Moore – Banks County JR
• 2024 – Teah Gales – Jefferson SO
• 2023 – Shelby Speed – Banks County SR
• 2022 – Jada Pittman – Jefferson SR
• 2021 – Paden Bell – Commerce SO
• 2020 – Zoe Sanchez – Union County SR
• 2019 – Zoe Sanchez – Union County JR
• 2018 – Rachel Gearing – White County SR & Anna Davis – Tallulah Falls SR
• 2017 – Rachel Gearing – White County JR
• 2016 – Kate Massey – Commerce SO
• 2015 – Jenna Gearing – White County JR
• 2014 – Sally Woerner – Rabun County SR
• 2013 – Jenna Gearing – White County FR
• 2012 – Jessie Dotson – White County SR
• 2011 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson County JR
• 2010 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson County SO

Moore is the first back-to-back winner since Zoe Sanchez of Union in 2019-20. Her award gives it to Banks County for the third time in a 4-year span. 11 times overall, the award has gone to a distance runner.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?

---