Thad Dewing named Gatorade Colorado boys soccer player of the year

In its 34th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company today announced Thad Dewing of Air Academy High School as its 2018-19 Gatorade Colorado Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Dewing is the first Gatorade Colorado Boys Soccer Player of the Year to be chosen from Air Academy High School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Dewing as Colorado’s best high school boys soccer player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in June, Dewing joins an elite alumni association of past state soccer award-winners, including Alexi Lalas (1987-88, Cranbrook High School, Mich.), Steve Cherundolo (1996-97, Mt. Carmel High School, Calif.), Abby Wambach (1997-98, Our Lady of Mercy School of Young Women, N.Y.), Heather O’Reilly (2001-02, 2002-03, East Brunswick High School, N.J.), Matt Besler (2004-04, Blue Valley West High School, Kans.), Jack Harrison (2013-14, Berkshire High School, Mass.) and Mallory Pugh (2014-15, Mountain Vista High School, Colo.).
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior forward led the Kadets to an 18-1-1 record and a second-straight Class 4A state championship this past season. Dewing tallied 27 goals and eight assists, including one of each in a 2-1 win over Denver North High in the state title game. The Class 4A State Player of the Year, Dewing is a two-time First Team All-Conference selection. He concluded his junior year with 51 goals and 14 assists in his prep soccer career.
A member of the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in his area, Dewing has volunteered locally as a youth soccer and basketball coach. He has also donated his time to multiple community-service initiatives through his church youth group. “Thad had a great year; he’s a tremendous player,” said Brian Jewell, head coach of Cheyenne Mountain High. “His speed and quickness make him really difficult to defend. He also holds the ball really well to allow the attack to build up around him.”
Dewing has maintained a weighted 4.22 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall.