Gatorade picks its winner based on athletic achievement, but also factors in academic performance and character. Snapp not only has a 4.0 GPA, but she's also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and French Club, is active in her church youth group and has volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army.
"This is probably not as big as winning the state this year because that was in the moment with physical hardships and working up to it. This award is more of a culmination of everything I did," said Snapp, who previously was named the 2008 Kentucky High School Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Super Team Runner of the Year.
'I hope there is a faster time in me'
Snapp isn't worried about the recent award changing her approach, either.
"I don't know if any award add pressure rather than just motivating you to keep working. The more you get to go to higher competitions, the more you humble yourself when you see other great runners."
Snapp ran her personal best - 17:58 - in November at the Nike Cross Country Nationals Southeast Regional in Charlotte.
"I was excited with the time, but I did not race as smart as I could have," Snapp said. "I hope there is a faster time in me."
McKinney sees that in her future because of her desire to excel.
"I think it would be hard for a lot of people to top what she's already done, but she's not a lot of people," McKinney said. "She is driven. Cross country is not a lot of fun, but I just don't see her fading away.
"She was running the other night in the rain when it was 36 degrees with nothing really to train for at this time of year. She wants to be one of the best runners in the nation."
That goal could lead to Snapp eventually giving up soccer, a sport she played before she started running.
"I am not sure I will be playing soccer every year. My parents and I have looked at the risks with all the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries. But I am going to try and keep with it as long as I feel I can," Snapp said.
"She's been fortunate to be injury-free" McKinney said. "She's not that big and she plays soccer and runs cross country and track. She's been lucky to stay injury-free, and I hope it continues."
Snapp hopes so, too, because she wants to be a major college runner.
"We have tried to set up my training to get as fast as possible in high school with low mileage so I can go to college and get better with more training," she said.
