Each week during the school year the Sarasota Herald-Tribune selects girls athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports htincoming@gmail.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. each Monday on heraldtribune.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. To get to know our winners better, the Herald-Tribune will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Herald-Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for Nov. 3-8, 2025, was Out-of-Door Academy cross country runner Morgan White, who won the poll with 58.23% of the vote. White placed eighth in 1A-District 6 by running the 5K event in 20:48.
When and why did you start running?
White: I started playing soccer when I was like 4, and I played a running position, I guess. I liked running down the line and trying to score, so I started running with a running club in the summer.
What is your favorite all-time running memory?
White: Probably going on the bus the night before (a race) and going to a hotel. My team always makes it fun. Last week, we did a bingo game and it was really fun. It makes me feel involved, even as an eighth grader.
What was your favorite moment this season?
White: Helping my team qualify for states because I have two captains who are both seniors and really wanted to qualify. I was really grateful that could happen.
What has been your most humbling moment in running?
White: There was a race at Holloway (Park) where I was expected to do really well, and I got really excited, and I didn’t do as well as I wanted to do. I kind of stumbled during the race, so I had to learn how to compose myself more.
What is your goal in running?
White: My goal, especially for track, is to break the mile school record. The mile record is 5:27 and my PR last year was 5:39. I broke the 5K school record. For cross country, I want to PR in this upcoming state race. My sister (Ashlee Gallegos) used to always break records, and she’s kind of my idol, so I look up to her and I want to do the same thing she did.
Who is your favorite runner and why?
White: His name is Meb Keflezighi. He’s the coach at Plant City High School. I’m good family friends with him. He won multiple marathons and he’s a really good runner. I think I’ve seen him like twice, and he’s really inspiring to me because of how fast he is and his accomplishments.
Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week Q&As are published in the Sunday sports section.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Herald-Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week winner Out-of-Door Academy cross country runner Morgan White
Reporting by Vinnie Portell, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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