BYU gets six nominations for Utah's State of Sport Awards

PROVO, Utah—BYU received six nominations for Utah’s Second Annual Governor’s State of Sport Awards. Fan voting is open until April 9.

VOTING ENDS APRIL 11!!!!

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