PROVO, Utah—BYU received six nominations for Utah’s Second Annual Governor’s State of Sport Awards. Fan voting began Monday and voting is open until April 9.
Fans can vote for the Cougars at www.stateofsportawards.com.
Four of BYU’s six nominations went to the women’s soccer team, with Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall in the running for female college or pro athlete of the year, head coach Jennifer Rockwood nominated for coach of the year, the team nominated for team of the year and soccer’s NCAA tournament game in the Elite 8 nominated for event of the year.
Haley Steed (women’s basketball) and Jennifer Hamson (women’s basketball and women’s volleyball) were also nominated for female college or pro athlete of the year.
Nominations for the nine separate awards are based on the 2012 calendar year achievements and 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.
An award ceremony, hosted by the Utah Sports Commission and presented by Zion’s Bank, will be held April 16. Retired pro tennis player Andre Agassi will be a special guest at the luncheon.
The Utah Sports Commission was organized in 1999 by the state of Utah to be a catalyst in creating a sports legacy after the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The organization focuses on sport development to grow Utah's economy and leverages the state's world-class sports assets to enhance Utah's position in the global sports marketplace.
Complete list of 2012 nominees
High school female athlete
Kizzy Willey - volleyball, Lone Peak High School
McKenna Bull - softball, Weber High School
Brianna Francis - swimming, Alta High School
Lucy 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 Krueger - 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