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American Fork senior Daniel Simmons celebrates being named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year during the award presentation at American Fork High School in American Fork on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork senior Daniel Simmons (right) poses for a photo with former Olympian Grant Fisher after being named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year during the award presentation at American Fork High School in American Fork on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork's Daniel Simmons crosses the finish line to win the 6A boys state championship race at Regional Athletic Complex in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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American Fork senior Daniel Simmons (right) poses for a photo with Caveman head coach Timo Mostert after being named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year during the award presentation at American Fork High School in American Fork on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork senior Daniel Simmons (center) poses for a photo with his Caveman teammates after being named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year during the award presentation at American Fork High School in American Fork on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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American Fork senior Daniel Simmons (right) accepts the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year award from former Olympian Grant Fisher during the award presentation at American Fork High School in American Fork on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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The first indication American Fork senior Daniel Simmons had that something was going on after he completed his early morning workout and walked into the school Monday morning was when he saw that the doors to the weight room were closed.

“My coach (Timo Mostert) was talking to me about getting shirts to reward the guys because they raced so well at an indoor meet this past weekend,” Simmons said. “I noticed that the doors were closed and it was so quiet, but I thought maybe some football people were in there or something.”

He opened the doors to find friends and family, as well as a special guest, waiting to surprise him.

The guest was Olympian Grant Fisher (who holds the American national records for the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and 3,000 meters) who presented Simmons with the 2023-24 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year award as the assembled crowd cheered.

“No way was I expecting that,” Simmons said. “It was so crazy. I was so excited. Having my team there made such a difference. It’s hard to celebrate something great without people you love being there with you. It was insanely awesome.”

Simmons also won the national award in 2022-23, which was awarded at the end of a morning workout. This year he got to enjoy the moment at his school surrounded by people he cared about.

“It was overwhelming,” Simmons said. “You could see me shaking.”

He admitted, however, that the first award was a little more special since it was the first.

“I couldn’t even express myself,” Simmons said. “It was amazing to do it my junior year.”

Simmons becomes the third American Fork national cross country award winner with 10 athletes being recognized as Gatorade state award winners.

“I really just hope it encourages the youth that are coming up,” Simmons said. “I’ve been with the junior high kids and I hope me getting this helps them see that even with adversity in a season doesn’t mean you’re done. I think this is going to be really big in showing that nothing’s impossible. Just always believe in yourself and then you’ll be great.”

Presenting the award to Simmons brought back good memories for Fisher, who also won the national Gatorade award for cross country in consecutive years (2013-14 and 2014-15).

“When I was in high school, Dathan Ritzenhein gave me this award and he is a legend in Michigan,” Fisher said. “He grew up there and went on to do some really cool things. He was someone I wanted to be like and so I remember those feelings, how special it was to have my friends and family around.”

Fisher recently moved to Park City, so it worked out for him to be on hand to present the trophy.

“It was cool seeing the excitement in Danny’s eyes when he came around the corner and I gave him the trophy,” Fisher said. “It was like going full circle. It was cool to be on both sides.”

Simmons said he feels like adding the national award to his collection of recognitions is just another step in his journey to be the best athlete he can be.

“I’ve just been working hard,” Simmons said. “I don’t work for the rewards. I work to enjoy the journey. That’s where I’ve found the most happiness. If you’re working for the rewards, there’s always the chance of losing everything. I think it’s really important to love the journey. This is a super-exciting steppingstone that’s going to help me be more confident in who I am.”

He said he has a lot to look forward to.

“There’s just limitless opportunity in running,” Simmons said. “I’m working on building up and getting faster at smart, even pace. There is racing hard, racing for fun having fun and making new relationships.”

Fisher recalls being that high school kid with big dreams but with so many possibilities in his future.

“The cool thing is you never know,” Fisher said. “You have people that you want to kind of emulate what they’ve done, but you just don’t know. When some of those things start to fall into place as you make the step to college and then you make the step to competing at the highest level in college and then you continue to make these steps for yourself, it’s really cool. There’s so much excitement ahead for Danny and so many opportunities. I’m sure he’s going to do great things.”

His advice to Simmons is to not put too much pressure on himself.

“When you’re a senior in high school, there are a lot of eyes on you,” Fisher said. “Then you get to college and that’s an opportunity to grow and look up to older guys on your team. When you’re a freshman, you have the opportunity to make mistakes and figure out what you want to do and how you want to do it, in running and in life. My advice is don’t put too much pressure on yourself to figure it out too quickly. Put yourself in the right place and you’ll be successful.”

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