Posted: Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:53 PM - 9,931 Readers

By: Danny Davis

Recent Lake Travis graduate Garrett Gilbert has been named Gatorade’s Male Athlete of the Year. Skylar Diggins, a basketball player from South Bend, Ind., was named the top female athlete.

LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Candace Parker and Allyson Felix are among the former winners of this award.

“It’s obviously incredible and I couldn’t be more blessed,” Gilbert told the American-Statesman in a phone interview. “I’m thankful for what’s happened. It’s real cool.”

Gilbert, who will attend the University of Texas and was named Gatorade’s Player of the Year for football in December, was in Los Angeles for the award luncheon and will attend tonight’s ESPY awards. Gilbert was unsure if he’ll be recognized at the award show which will be aired on Sunday.

Gilbert spent three years on the Lake Travis varsity team and won two state championships while setting four state passing records. This past season, Gilbert threw for 4,854 yards and 55 touchdowns while leading the Cavaliers to a 48-23 victory over Longview in the Class 4A, Division title game.

A two-time Central Texas MVP, Gilbert was listed as the No. 4 athlete in Central Texas for the 2008-09 school year by the Austin American-Statesman.