Kaleb Korta of Galena is the 2015-16 Gatorade Alaska Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Korta is awarded for athleticism and high standards of academic achievements and has an exemplary character on and off racecourse, according to press release from Gatorade.

He is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Boy Cross Country Runner of the Year and to be awarded in January.

“Kaleb is just so focused and motivated,” said Molissa Wightman, cross-country coach, who was quoted in the press release. “He made a tremendous commitment, even before his freshmen year, to be the best runner he could be. No matter the conditions, he always finds time to train.”

Korta raced to his second consecutive Class 1-2-3A individual state champion this season with a time of 15:59.9. He won the Region VI championship, the Palmer Invitational, and the ACS class challenge, according to the press release.

The release added that he maintained a 3.91 grade point average. He is a talented musician, assists the elderly in his community and had volunteered on the behalf of Civil Air Patrol and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Kaleb signed a national letter in intent to run on an athletic scholarship at the University of Alaska Anchorage beginning this fall.