Huge congratulations to Kavi Gibson, ’26, who punctuated his record-shattering cross country season by being named the Gatorade North Carolina Boys’s Cross Country Player of the Year. The prestigious award honors top high school athletes for their performance in their chosen sport, in the classroom, and in the community. Kavi is only the second CA athlete to ever receive the award, having broken the school record of our previous 2011 recipient, Thomas Graham, ‘12.

This season, Kavi was not only the highest ranked high school runner in the state, undefeated against all NC runners with the exception of a single runner-up finish, coming off an illness, at the NCISAA 4A state championship. His blistering 14:42 5K pace at the Addidas XC Challenge earned him a spot in the state record books as the third fastest high school runner of all time in North Carolina—a stunning accomplishment. Kavi was also a top North Carolina finisher at the Foot Locker South Regional, placing 11th overall and earning Second Team All-Region honors.  

Off the trail, Kavi also dominated the Indoor Track season, claiming three state championships in the 1000m, 1600m, and 3200m and earning All-State recognition in four events, including the 4x800m relay. He set two conference meet records (1600m and 4x800m relay) and secured three All-Conference honors. 

Notable Invitational Results 

1st Place – WNC Cross Country Carnival Champion 

1st Place – Friday Night Lights XC Festival Champion 

1st Place – Greensboro Invitational Champion 

1st Place – TISAC Conference Champion 

2nd Place – adidas XC Challenge Runner-up 

2nd Place – NCISAA 4A State Championship Runner-up 

With another season ahead, Kavi remains one of North Carolina’s top distance runners, with strong performances across both cross country and track.