Before Caitlyn Jenner took home a gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics, she set the track and field world on fire at Sleepy Hollow High School, where an award was given in Jenner's name.

To recognize the 65-year-old Jenner's achievements, the school named an athletic award after her, although it was conceived well before her gender transition.

Senior Danny Elia, recipient of the Bruce Jenner Award for Tenacity, says that he is proud to follow in the footsteps of a famous alumnus. The award was given out at the school's annual sports banquet Wednesday night. Elia holds a top-three record in the state for the 300-meter hurdle.

Elia says the award represents the values that Jenner embodied while a student at Sleepy Hollow High School.

School officials say that while they embrace Jenner's change, they don't plan on renaming the award to Caitlyn.

Elia will be competing in the state championships in two weeks. After that, he plans to attend Sacred Heart University on an athletic scholarship.