The Classical Academy cross country program might have dropped down to Class 3A ahead of last season because of enrollment numbers, but Tanner Norman’s talent level continued to rise.

On Monday, Norman was named the 2016-17 Gatorade Colorado Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Norman ran the state’s fastest time regardless of classification in October, winning the 3A state individual title in 15 minutes, 44.7 seconds.

Norman, The Gazette Boys’ Cross Country Peak Performer of the Year, signed a National Letter of Intent to run for Iowa State in the fall. He was also the 4A state champion in 2015.

Norman’s win at 3A was dominant, clearing the field by 25 seconds and besting everyone in the state by nearly 10 seconds.

The award isn’t strictly based on athletics, it also “recognizes . high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse,” according to the press release announcing the award.

Norman carries a 3.81 GPA, according to the press release, and has volunteered for food drives and local youth sports programs.

After state, Norman took seventh at the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional championships and eighth nationally at the NXN Final in 15:46.3, which garnered him All-American honors.

“He’s exemplary in practice, and I don’t know if the other kids see all of the little things he’s doing, but they see the big picture and that he’s putting in the work and it’s paying off for him,” TCA coach Alan Versaw told The Gazette last year.