Wrestlers Gray, Lee, Diakomihalis named semifinalists for Sullivan Award; Fans vote online March 9-13
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by USA Wrestling
Images courtesy of AAU.
Three wrestlers have been nominated and named semifinalists for the 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the nation's top amateur athlete.
Five-time World champion and seven-time World medalist Adeline Gray, plus two-time NCAA champions Spencer Lee and Yianni Diakomihals, are on the ballot for this year's award, which can be voted upon by fans.
Voting opens for the semifinalists on Monday, March 9 at 10:30 AM EST and will stay open through Friday, March 13
Click here to vote for AAU Sullivan Award
Fans can vote once per day now through March 13 to help choose the nation's top amateur athlete!
Please note, when you go to the online ballot, not all of the candidates initially appear. Please click the show more button on the bottom of the page to see the entire list of candidates.
The finalists will be announced live at the AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony on March 23 in Detroit.
The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Representatives from the AAU created the Sullivan Award with the intent to recognize contributions and achievements across the country of amateur athletes. The award is selected based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism
Four wrestlers have won the James E. Sullivan Award: Olympic champions John Smith (1990), Bruce Baumgartner (1995), Rulon Gardner (2000) and Kyle Snyder (2018).
USA Wrestling nominated Adeline Gray, who became the first U.S. wrestler to win five World gold medals, with her victory at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Spencer Lee of the University of Iowa, and Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell University were nominated by other organizations.
Adeline Gray's Sullivan Award bio
Adeline Gray is one of the greatest athletes in the history of wrestling. A winner of five World Championship gold medals, Gray has won more World titles than any American wrestlers in history, male or female. She boasts seven World medals, with two World bronze medals to go with her fist-full of five golds. Gray is an example of somebody who can overcome challenges. She was injured in 2016 and had a down performance at the Rio Olympics, placing seventh when she went in as a favorite. Gray took 2017 off to heal and refresh, and has come back even stronger, winning World titles in 2018 and 2019. Adeline is all about the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship and community service. Going back to her years in her teens, when she first became a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, through today, Gray constantly accepts invitations to volunteer her time to assist youth. She is one of the leaders for the explosive growth of wrestling for girls and women, making extra time to give back to young people and encourage their participation in wrestling. She writes a regular column in popular WIN Magazine, giving young girls specific tips and encouragement in their wrestling journeys. This past year, she showed great grit and character, competing in the World Championships only weeks after breaking her hand and needing surgery. Her technique is amazing, but her heart and desire to compete is super-human. Gray is always a great sport, praising her opponents and being gracious in victory. She is also mature and respectful in defeat.
Spencer Lee's Sullivan Award bio
Two-time NCAA Wrestling Champion, Lee claimed the US Senior National Championship in December 2019, qualifying for the US Olympic Trials in April. He earned All-America honors both years. Lee outscored his opponents 55-7 in five matches at NCAA Championships. He posted a 23-3 overall record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in Big Ten duals. For the 2018-19 season, he recorded a team-high seven technical falls and eight pins, ranking second on the team. He became an Academic All-Big Ten and named the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler at annual team banquet. Lee was also named to the NWCA Academic All-American Team and is a two-time letter winner.
Yianni Diakomihalis Sullivan Award bio
A finalist for the Hodge Trophy as the nation's most outstanding college wrestler, Diakomihalis capped off a 29-0 season with a 6-4 win over No. 2 seed Joey McKenna of Ohio State in sudden victory in the NCAA finals for his second straight national title. Named Ivy League and EIWA Wrestler of the Year. Was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection. Was chosen as the EIWA Most Outstanding Wrestler in route to his second Eastern crown. He concluded his campaign with a 47-match win streak dating back to his freshman campaign. 17 of his 29 wins came by way of bonus points, including seven by fall. Eleven of his wins came against nationally-ranked wrestlers. Was a perfect 13-0 in dual meets.
Click below to vote for AAU Sullivan Award
https://aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardSemifinalists
Three wrestlers have been nominated and named semifinalists for the 90th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the nation's top amateur athlete.
Five-time World champion and seven-time World medalist Adeline Gray, plus two-time NCAA champions Spencer Lee and Yianni Diakomihals, are on the ballot for this year's award, which can be voted upon by fans.
Voting opens for the semifinalists on Monday, March 9 at 10:30 AM EST and will stay open through Friday, March 13
Click here to vote for AAU Sullivan Award
Fans can vote once per day now through March 13 to help choose the nation's top amateur athlete!
Please note, when you go to the online ballot, not all of the candidates initially appear. Please click the show more button on the bottom of the page to see the entire list of candidates.
The finalists will be announced live at the AAU Gussie Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony on March 23 in Detroit.
The AAU Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Representatives from the AAU created the Sullivan Award with the intent to recognize contributions and achievements across the country of amateur athletes. The award is selected based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism
Four wrestlers have won the James E. Sullivan Award: Olympic champions John Smith (1990), Bruce Baumgartner (1995), Rulon Gardner (2000) and Kyle Snyder (2018).
USA Wrestling nominated Adeline Gray, who became the first U.S. wrestler to win five World gold medals, with her victory at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. Spencer Lee of the University of Iowa, and Yianni Diakomihalis of Cornell University were nominated by other organizations.
Adeline Gray's Sullivan Award bio
Adeline Gray is one of the greatest athletes in the history of wrestling. A winner of five World Championship gold medals, Gray has won more World titles than any American wrestlers in history, male or female. She boasts seven World medals, with two World bronze medals to go with her fist-full of five golds. Gray is an example of somebody who can overcome challenges. She was injured in 2016 and had a down performance at the Rio Olympics, placing seventh when she went in as a favorite. Gray took 2017 off to heal and refresh, and has come back even stronger, winning World titles in 2018 and 2019. Adeline is all about the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship and community service. Going back to her years in her teens, when she first became a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, through today, Gray constantly accepts invitations to volunteer her time to assist youth. She is one of the leaders for the explosive growth of wrestling for girls and women, making extra time to give back to young people and encourage their participation in wrestling. She writes a regular column in popular WIN Magazine, giving young girls specific tips and encouragement in their wrestling journeys. This past year, she showed great grit and character, competing in the World Championships only weeks after breaking her hand and needing surgery. Her technique is amazing, but her heart and desire to compete is super-human. Gray is always a great sport, praising her opponents and being gracious in victory. She is also mature and respectful in defeat.
Spencer Lee's Sullivan Award bio
Two-time NCAA Wrestling Champion, Lee claimed the US Senior National Championship in December 2019, qualifying for the US Olympic Trials in April. He earned All-America honors both years. Lee outscored his opponents 55-7 in five matches at NCAA Championships. He posted a 23-3 overall record, including a perfect 7-0 mark in Big Ten duals. For the 2018-19 season, he recorded a team-high seven technical falls and eight pins, ranking second on the team. He became an Academic All-Big Ten and named the Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler at annual team banquet. Lee was also named to the NWCA Academic All-American Team and is a two-time letter winner.
Yianni Diakomihalis Sullivan Award bio
A finalist for the Hodge Trophy as the nation's most outstanding college wrestler, Diakomihalis capped off a 29-0 season with a 6-4 win over No. 2 seed Joey McKenna of Ohio State in sudden victory in the NCAA finals for his second straight national title. Named Ivy League and EIWA Wrestler of the Year. Was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection. Was chosen as the EIWA Most Outstanding Wrestler in route to his second Eastern crown. He concluded his campaign with a 47-match win streak dating back to his freshman campaign. 17 of his 29 wins came by way of bonus points, including seven by fall. Eleven of his wins came against nationally-ranked wrestlers. Was a perfect 13-0 in dual meets.
Click below to vote for AAU Sullivan Award
https://aausports.wyng.com/AAUSullivanAwardSemifinalists
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