Fan Voting Shows Enthusiastic Statewide Support for Nominees
Salt Lake City, Utah – April 9, 2013 – Voting for the Governor’s State of Sport Awards will conclude on Thursday, April 11 at midnight and sports fans have just two days to determine who will be this year’s winners. Over 45,000 fans have cast their votes for their favorite athletes, coach, team, game and highlight on the stateofsportawards.com website. The contests have remained close throughout the voting period.
The nine award categories include High School Female Athlete, High School Male Athlete, Collegiate or Pro Female Athlete, Collegiate Male Athlete, Pro Male Athlete, Team of the Year, Highlight of the Year, Game or Event of the Year and Coach of the Year. The nominees were selected by a committee comprised of members of the sports media and community at large.
Category winners will be announced at the Governor’s State of Sport Awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 16. In addition, a Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to Spencer F. Eccles, a “Team Utah” Partner of the Year award will be presented to U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and an Olympian of the Year award will be presented to ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson. Tennis legend, Andre Agassi, will be the guest speaker.
Nominees
High School Female Athlete
Kizzy Willey – Volleyball, Lone Peak High School
McKenna Bull – Softball, Weber High School
Brianna Francis – Swimming, Alta High SchoolLucy Biles – Cross Country, Herriman High School
Emily Bruder – Soccer, Juan Diego High School/USA Soccer
Taylor Calton – Tennis, Lone Peak High School
High School Male Athlete
Blake Barney – Football, Dixie High School
Austin Kafentzis – Football, Jordan High School
Brandon McBride – Wrestling, Olympus High School
Jake Lloyd – Football, Timpview High School
Jordan Loveridge – Basketball, West Jordan High School
Nick Emery – Basketball, Lone Peak High School
College or Pro Female Athlete
Jennifer Hamsen – Volleyball & Basketball, Brigham Young University
Corrie Lothrop – Gymnastics, University of Utah
Michelle Plouffe – Basketball, University of Utah
Maria Graefnings – Skiing, University of Utah
Haley Hall Steed – Basketball, Brigham Young University
Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall – Soccer, Brigham Young University
College Male Athlete
Damian Lillard – Basketball, Weber State University
Cameron Levins – Track, Southern Utah University
Star Lotulelei – Football, University of Utah
Chuckie Keeton – Football, Utah State University
Goose Kallunki – Baseball, Utah Valley University
Reggie Dunn – Football, University of Utah
Professional Male Athlete
Jesse Wright – Rodeo, PRCA
Nick Rimando – Soccer, Real Salt Lake
Trevor Lewis – Hockey, LA Kings
Daniel Summerhays – Golf, PGA TOUR
Paul Kruger – Football, Baltimore Ravens
Haloti Ngata – Football, Baltimore Ravens
Coach of the Year
Gary Andersen – Football, Utah State University
Eric Madsen – Baseball, Utah Valley University
Jennifer Rockwood – Soccer, Brigham Young University
Timo Mostert – Cross Country, American Fork High School
Quincy Lewis – Basketball, Lone Peak High School
Team of the Year
Utah State University – Football
Brigham Young University Women’s Soccer
Lone Peak High School Boys’ Basketball
Jordan High School Football
American Fork High School Boys’ Cross Country
Utah Valley University Baseball
Game or Event of the Year
BYU Women’s Soccer advances to Elite 8
Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Maveriks
BYU vs. Utah Football
Winter Dew Tour
Play or Highlight of the Year
Sam Gordon YouTube Sensation
Nick Rimando Stops Seattle
Cam Zink Crash Red Bull Rampage
Timpview vs. Mountain Crest Overtime Score
Southern Utah University TD vs. Cal Berkeley
Louie Vito Wins Dew Cup