Pettis, Aguilar Named Seattle Sports Stars Of The Year
February 08, 2018 | Football, General, Softball
Washington athletes took top honors at the 83rd annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards Thursday night as softball's Ali Aguilar and football's Dante Pettis were named Female and Male Athlete of the Year.
Additionally, Gonzaga basketball's Final Four run was named Sports Story of the Year. That, along with the two athlete of the year honors, were voted on by fans.
Also Thursday, ESPN's John Clayton earned the Keith Jackson Award (given to a member of the media for excellence in communicating the sports stories of our state), former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton won the Paul G. Allen Award (given to an individual who has made a significant or compelling philanthropic contribution), and Seattle Pacific legend Doris Brown-Heritage was presented with the Royal Brougham Legend Award (given to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in sports and who exemplifies the spirit of our state).
Lynden High School's Bretton Chitwood, who continued to play hockey after amputation of his right foot due to cancer, and Othello High grade Colton Schmidt, a Special Olympian who will compete in soccer this summer at the Seattle Games, were given the Wayne Gittinger Inspirational Youth Award.
Aguilar, an All-America infielder from Orangevale, Calif., was a three-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection who batted .352 with 14 home runs and 42 runs batted in during the 2017 season. As a senior last year, she helped lead the Huskies to a 50-14 overall record and the semifinals of the Women's College World Series.
Pettis, a senior wide receiver and punt returner from San Clemente, Calif., set a new NCAA record for punt returns for a touchdown, adding four during the 2017 season to give him nine for his career. He also broke the UW and Pac-12 records for career punt return average while leading Washington to a 10-3 record last season.
Also nominated for Female Sports Star of the Year were UW track & cross country athlete Amy-Eloise Neal, former UW basketball player Chantel Osahor, Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart, WSU volleyball player Taylor Mims and Seattle Reign FC player Jessica Fishlock.
Also nominated for the Male Sports Star of the Year were Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz, WSU quarterback Luke Falk and Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
The other nominees for Sports Story of the Year were UW basketball having the first overall pick in both the NBA and WNBA Drafts, UW and Western Washington winning NCAA women's rowing championships, KeyArena renovation plans, Seattle hosting the WNBA All-Star Game, and the Sounders returning the MLS Cup.
Additionally, Gonzaga basketball's Final Four run was named Sports Story of the Year. That, along with the two athlete of the year honors, were voted on by fans.
Also Thursday, ESPN's John Clayton earned the Keith Jackson Award (given to a member of the media for excellence in communicating the sports stories of our state), former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton won the Paul G. Allen Award (given to an individual who has made a significant or compelling philanthropic contribution), and Seattle Pacific legend Doris Brown-Heritage was presented with the Royal Brougham Legend Award (given to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in sports and who exemplifies the spirit of our state).
Lynden High School's Bretton Chitwood, who continued to play hockey after amputation of his right foot due to cancer, and Othello High grade Colton Schmidt, a Special Olympian who will compete in soccer this summer at the Seattle Games, were given the Wayne Gittinger Inspirational Youth Award.
Aguilar, an All-America infielder from Orangevale, Calif., was a three-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection who batted .352 with 14 home runs and 42 runs batted in during the 2017 season. As a senior last year, she helped lead the Huskies to a 50-14 overall record and the semifinals of the Women's College World Series.
Pettis, a senior wide receiver and punt returner from San Clemente, Calif., set a new NCAA record for punt returns for a touchdown, adding four during the 2017 season to give him nine for his career. He also broke the UW and Pac-12 records for career punt return average while leading Washington to a 10-3 record last season.
Also nominated for Female Sports Star of the Year were UW track & cross country athlete Amy-Eloise Neal, former UW basketball player Chantel Osahor, Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart, WSU volleyball player Taylor Mims and Seattle Reign FC player Jessica Fishlock.
Also nominated for the Male Sports Star of the Year were Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin, Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz, WSU quarterback Luke Falk and Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
The other nominees for Sports Story of the Year were UW basketball having the first overall pick in both the NBA and WNBA Drafts, UW and Western Washington winning NCAA women's rowing championships, KeyArena renovation plans, Seattle hosting the WNBA All-Star Game, and the Sounders returning the MLS Cup.
Players Mentioned
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