January 26, 201610 yr BY MARK STORY [email protected] We are revealing, in reverse alphabetical order, the 10 finalists for the 2015 Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky Sportsman of the Year award. The winner will be announced Tuesday simultaneously on Kentucky.com and at the fifth annual Bluegrass Sports Awards Banquet. Complete results will be in Wednesday’s Herald-Leader. AMERICAN PHAROAH The horse that brought ‘the Triple Crown experience’ to a new generation Kentucky-bred produced epic 2015 moments in Louisville and Lexington ‘A trail blazer for equine Americans’ 2015 claim to fame: Kentucky-bred became the first horse since 1978 to win the Triple Crown — the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Preakness and Belmont — and also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. What a voter said: “American Pharoah was a trailblazer for equine Americans.” — Jerry Tipton, Lexington Herald-Leader JEFF BROHM WKU football coach scaled new mountains with the Hilltoppers Conference USA championship, bowl win, top-25 ranking in 2015 ‘What Jeff Brohm accomplished ... deserves special recognition’ 2015 claim to fame: Coached Western Kentucky football (12-2) to Conference USA championship, victory over South Florida in the Miami Beach Bowl and a final ranking of No. 24 in the Associated Press’ college football poll. What a voter said: “What Jeff Brohm accomplished at WKU deserves special recognition.” —Paul Rogers, Louisville Cardinals radio play-by-play announcer JOHN CALIPARI For UK coach, no undefeated championship but another Final Four trip Hall of Fame induction capped a memorable year ‘The almost perfect season with a spot in the Hall of Fame’ 2015 claim to fame: Coached Kentucky to a 38-0 start and its fourth Final Four trip in five years and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. What a voter said: “The almost-perfect season with a spot in the Hall of Fame.” — Alan Cutler, WLEX-TV KASH DANIEL Paintsville High School star excelled as linebacker, quarterback Won Mr. Football, Paul Hornung Award and Gatorade Player of the Year ‘Came out of obscurity to become the hottest football recruit in the state’ 2015 claim to fame: Paintsville High School football standout thrived as a linebacker and quarterback. He won Mr. Football, the Paul Hornung Award and Gatorade State Player of the Year. What a voter said: “The Paintsville linebacker came out of obscurity to become the hottest football recruit in the state.” — Tyler Thompson, KentuckySportsRadio.com BRANDON DOUGHTY Record-setting WKU quarterback led nation in passing yards and TD throws Carried Hilltoppers to C-USA championship and bowl victory ‘Had the best year of any football player in the state’ 2015 claim to fame: Western Kentucky senior quarterback led the nation in passing yards (5,055) and touchdown passes (48) while carrying the Hilltoppers (12-2) to a Conference USA championship and a Miami Beach Bowl victory. What a voter said: “A program-changing player, who had the best year of any football player in the state.” — Dan Rieffer, WLXG AM-1300, Lexington KENDRA HARRISON Kendra Harrison As senior, Kentucky Wildcats hurdler became a national-level star Won NCAA championships indoors and outdoors ‘Her list of accomplishments is awe-inspiring’ 2015 claim to fame: Kentucky Wildcats star hurdler won the NCAA women’s championships indoors (60 meters) and outdoors (100) and took the silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the U.S. championships. What a voter said: “Looking at her list of accomplishments is awe-inspiring.” — Mark Mathis, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer PHILIP HAYWOOD Belfry High School football coach went past 400 career wins Led Pirates to third straight Class 3A state title ‘One would have to AVERAGE 10 wins a season for 40 years!’ 2015 claim to fame: Belfry High School football coach became first in state history to exceed 400 career wins (now 403) and coached Pirates to their third straight 3A state title. What a voter said: “Think about what 400-plus wins really means: One would have to AVERAGE 10 wins a season for 40 years!” — Jeff Drummond, AllWildcats.com EMMA TALLEY Nick Saban not only one winning national championships for Alabama Ex-Caldwell Co. star won 2015 women’s NCAA golf title for Crimson Tide ‘(Talley is) just one step from (LPGA) competition’ 2015 claim to fame: As a junior for Alabama, the Caldwell County product won the women’s NCAA golf championship by one shot and was National Honda Award winner for women’s golf. What a voter said: “What Talley did turned some heads. An NCAA championship at that level is just one step from (LPGA) competition.” — Gary Moyers, The Cats’ Pause KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS UK freshman became go-to scorer for 38-1 Cats A second-team All-American and the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Towns ‘improved throughout the year’ 2015 claim to fame: Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball freshman emerged as go-to, low-post scorer for 38-1 Wildcats and was selected as a second-team All-American by AP and the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 NBA Draft. What a voter said: “(Towns) improved throughout the year to become the number one pick.” — Keith Elkins, Lexington Legends radio play-by-play announcer KELSI WORRELL U of L swim star won 2 NCAA championships in 2015 Set an American record in the 100-meter butterfly Few ‘athletes in this state have accomplished more 2015 claim to fame: Louisville Cardinals swimming star won NCAA championships in 100 and 200 butterfly, won two gold medals at Pan American Games and set the American record in the 100-meter butterfly. What a voter said: “Only a handful of athletes in this state have ever accomplished more (than Worrell).” — Jody Demling, CardinalAuthority.com
January 26, 201610 yr I'll say it. American Pharoah shouldn't be on the list. They need a Sports Animal of the Year award. The Sportsman of the Year should be a human being.
January 26, 201610 yr Author Prior Winners 2014 — AJ Reed 2013 — Rick Pitino 2012 — Anthony Davis 2011 — Kenneth Faried 2010 — John Wall 2009 — John Calipari 2008 — Kenny Perry 2007 — Tyson Gay 2006 — Brandon Webb 2005 — Shaun Alexander 2004 — Stefan LeFors 2003 — Kenny Perry 2002 — Valley Sports 2001 — Eddie Eviston 2000 — John L. Smith 1999 — James Whalen Jr. 1998 — Tubby Smith 1997 — Tim Couch 1996 — Rick Pitino 1995 — Tim Couch 1994 — Jenny Hansen 1993 — Jamal Mashburn 1992 — The Unforgettables 1991 — Cawood Ledford 1990 — Rick Pitino 1989 — David Roselle 1988 — Richie Farmer 1987 — Phil Simms 1986 — Denny Crumon 1985 — Kenny Walker 1984 — Mary T. Meagher 1983 — Jerry Claiborne 1982 — Roy Kidd 1981 — Roy Kidd
January 26, 201610 yr I'll say it. American Pharoah shouldn't be on the list. They need a Sports Animal of the Year award. The Sportsman of the Year should be a human being. And you eliminate all the women in the same manner?
January 26, 201610 yr Author I'm disappointed that Whitney Creech didn't make the top 10.She should be a lock for 2016 finalist. She graduates this year, right?
January 26, 201610 yr And you eliminate all the women in the same manner? Last I saw I said human beings and not just men. Truthfully it should be called Sportsperson of the Year but I don't name the award. Either way, an animal shouldn't be in the running for an award won by human beings.
January 26, 201610 yr I'll say it. American Pharoah shouldn't be on the list. They need a Sports Animal of the Year award. The Sportsman of the Year should be a human being. Beat me to it. Having an animal on the list is just...stupid. Hey I have a buddy that has Tenn. walking horses that win all sorts of shows and competitions...shouldn't his horse be on there to?:sarcastic:
January 26, 201610 yr Author All things considered, hard to vote against Kelsi Worrell 2 NCAA Championships and a new American record in the 100M Butterfly.
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