Merrimack Valley’s Kristie Schoffield leads the pack at the 1600 final at the MV Invitational Track Meet Saturday. Schoffield led start to finish with a winning time of 5:06.80.
Merrimack Valley’s Kristie Schoffield leads the pack at the 1600 final at the MV Invitational Track Meet Saturday. Schoffield led start to finish with a winning time of 5:06.80. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER

Merrimack Valley’s Kristie Schoffield was named the Gatorade New Hampshire Girls’ Track and Field Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first athlete to win the award in school history.

Schoffield ran to victory in the 800-meter run at the New England Outdoor Championships this past spring, clocking in a time of 2 minutes, 6.90 seconds – good for No. 4 in the nation at the time. Schoffield also took first in the 800 at the Meet of Champions (2:09.30), the 400 during the Division I Championships at Merrimack High School (57.91) and took second in the Brooks PR Invitational in Washington.

Schoffield, who will be attending Boise State University in the fall, joins Oyster River’s Maegan Doody (2016), Coe-Brown’s Hannah Parker (2015, 2014, 2013) as recent winners of the award.