The Amateur Athletic Association (AAU) has just opened voting for its 85th Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Award, an honor bestowed upon a selected outstanding American amateur athlete that epitomizes “leadership, character and sportsmanship.”
Swimming’s Katie Ledecky has been nominated to receive the award, along with 13 additional athletes that hail from all areas of sport, including football, figure skating and golf. The last swimmer to earn the prestigiuos award was Missy Franklin, who was acknowledged back in 2013.
Everyone is able to vote here until March 15th, after which the nominees will be narrowed down to a group of six finalists, one of whom will be given the award at a special ceremony on April 19th. The event will take place at the storied New York Athletic Club (NYAC), one of the first organized amateur athletic clubs in America.
According to aausullivan.org, Ledecky is accompanied by the other nominees with their respective sports as follows:
Shawn Barber, Pole Vault
Simone Biles, Gymnastics
Meryl Davis, Charlie White, Ice Dancing
Ezekiel Elliott, Football
Adeline Gray, Wrestling
Erin Hamlin, Luge
Micha Hancock, Volleyball
Haley Ishimatsu, Diving
Katie Ledecky, Swimming
Marcus Mariota, Football
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Basketball
Jahlil Okafor, Basketball
Ollie Schneiderjans, Golf
Maggie Steffens, Water Polo
Hey SwimSwam! Just passing along a piece on Katie published this morning in the Guardian. She’s not only an unparalleled swimmer, but she’s just a stellar woman: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/10/katie-ledecky-ive-just-always-felt-comfortable-in-the-water-from-day-one
Ledecky should be the no-brainer here. Outstanding year of swimming and some great service work. Hope she wins!
“In 2014, Katie also became the first female swimmer in more than 25 years to hold World Records simultaneously in the 400 Meter, 800 Meter, and 1500 Meter Freestyle events.” On May 1, 2006, Janet Evans still held all 3. It’s obviously a very impressive achievement, but no need to exaggerate…