PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior Anna Farello has been named one of the Play It Forward Award Winners for this 2017 spring season, Oregon Sports Awards announced earlier last week. The Play It Forward Award recognizes high school and college athletes each season (fall, winter and spring) for the great work they do to give back in their communities across Oregon.

Farello earns the Play it Forward Award for her work with Active Children Portland (ACP), which holds programs for elementary and middle school youth which helps them learn how to play soccer and basketball, and make healthy lifestyle choices. The senior runner has helped recruit coaches, manage events, and research various fundraising platforms and behavioral management practices. At ACP, she has used her knowledge of sport psychology to try to combat obesity rates and teach kids valuable life skills.

The award is another spectacular addition to Farello's accolades over the past four years, which includes West Coast Conference All-Academic Honorable mention in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and All-WCC Honorable mention in 2016. As an active member of SAAC, she has helped lead the women's cross country team academically, consistently claiming the highest team GPA in the fall of 2014 (3.62), and in the spring of 2015 (3.71) and 2016 (3.68). In the 2015-16 year, the team was also recognized by the NCAA for having the second highest team GPA nationally (3.671). Farello was also awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship earlier this spring.

"Anna is one of the most selfless athletes I have ever coached and is willing to do anything to help others," said head coach Ian Solof. "She has been a huge part of our team culture and is leaving a lasting legacy on our program. I am really proud of her and we will miss her very much."

The Play It Forward Award recipients are invited to attend the 65th Oregon Sports Awards, where one student-athlete will be selected to receive the Play It Forward $2,500 scholarship. The Oregon Sports Awards will be held on June 18, 2017 in the Stanford Theater at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. The Play It Forward Fund has now awarded eight $5,000 grants to non-profit organizations that demonstrate a commitment to providing physical activity and sport opportunities to youth across Oregon.