Palodichuk named player of the year

Gatorade has picked Nick Palodichuk of Camas as the Washington boys soccer player of the year and he now is a finalist for the national player of the year.

Palodichuk leads the unbeaten Papermakers in scoring this spring. 

He also was a starter on the U.S. Soccer Federation Under-17 Men’s National Team at the 2009 World Cup in Nigeria.

Palodichuk, a junior, has said he will sign with Duke Unversity next school year.

“Nick Palodichuk’s a beast — he’s the best athlete-soccer player I’ve ever coached,” said Jimmy McAlister, coach of the Washington Premier F.C. club program. “He can score at will in high school. He’s a fabulous player, no question about it.”

Palodichuk is the second player from Camas to be named player of the year. Brent Richards was Gatorade’s choice in 2008. Palodichuk and Richards were teammates — when Palodichuk was a freshman — when they led the Papermakers to the Class 3A state championship.

For a complete list of past winners, go to playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.