CHICAGO — Utah Valley men's soccer signee Lewis Knecht was named the Utah Boys Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year, the organization announced in a press release on Thursday.

The award, which honors the top high school athletes for their successes on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, adds to the long list of honors Knecht has received in his high school career. Earlier this week, Knecht was also named the UHSAA Male Athlete of the Year — the top athlete in the state regardless of sport — and Utah's Mr. Soccer for the second year in a row.

Knecht becomes the sixth Wolverine to be named Utah Gatorade Player of the Year, joining Lucas Cawley, Thomas Loomis, Aidan Dayton, Carter Johnson, and Trevor Walk.

Knecht, a member of the 2025 signing class that will be joining the Wolverines this fall, led American Fork HS to its second straight state championship last month, the team's fourth in school history.

Knecht built upon a stellar junior campaign — during which he also won the Mr. Soccer award by scoring 20 goals and assisting on 17 more — by scoring 24 goals and adding 12 assists as a senior in 2025. 

Knecht and the Wolverines will play the inaugural season at UCCU Stadium this fall.