Katie Ledecky, Ashleigh Johnson Finalists For WSF’s Sportswoman Of The Year

katie-ledecky-press-conference-rio-olympics

Photo Courtesy: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Katie Ledecky has been nominated as one of ten finalists for the 2016 Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year award.

Ledecky made history this past month at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games when she became the second woman in history to win the 200, 400, and 800 meter freestyle events at an Olympic Games. The young star added an additional gold and a silver medal as the anchor for both the 800 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay.

While Ledecky is the most well-known athlete in our sport, the list includes a second swimmer–Gwenn Jorgensen. Jorgensen swam for the University of Wisconsin for her first two years as a Badger before switching her focus to track. After graduation, the swimmer-turned-runner shifted her focus once more to triathlons becoming a dominant figure in the sport and the first American to win the Olympic triathlon at an Olympic Games in Rio.

Individual Sport Finalists:

Katie Ledecky, USA, Swimming
Gwen Jorgensen, USA, Triathlon
Simone Biles, USA, Gymnastics
Kayla Harrison, USA, Judo
Lydia Ko, New Zealand, Golf
Tatyana McFadden, USA, Paralympic Track & Field
Claressa Shields, USA, Boxing
Elaine Thompson, Jamaica, Track & Field
Serena Williams, USA, Tennis
Helen Maroulis, USA, Wrestling

In addition to the individual sport finalists, the team sport finalists are highlighted by another aquatic athlete–Ashleigh Johnson. Johnson made her Olympic debut in Rio as goalkeeper for Team USA, defending the net to help lead Team USA to their second straight Olympic gold medal. Additionally, Johnson broke barriers by being the first African-American on the USA’s women’s water polo team.

Team Sport Finalists:

Ashleigh Johnson, USA, Water Polo
Valerie Arioto, USA, Softball
Heather Erickson, USA, Sitting Volleyball
Helen Glover & Heather Stanning, Great Britain, Rowing
Hilary Knight, USA, Hockey
Carli Lloyd, USA, Soccer
Alexandra Danson, Great Britain, Field Hockey
Maya Moore, USA, Basketball
Kira Walkenhorst & Laura Ludwig, Germany, Beach Volleyball
Zhu Ting, China, Volleyball

Finalists for the awards were selected based on their athletic performances between August 1, 2015 and August 21st, 2016. The public vote gets 50% of the selection, while the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Awards Committee gets the other 50%.

Anyone wishing to vote can do so by visiting the Women’s Sports Foundation’s website.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

7 years ago

Katie Ledecky has Olympic medals for the achievements as 100, 200, 400, 800 swimmer. Only very few had similar achievement back more than 40 years ago ( Shane Could, Shirley Babashoff)

RazzMaTazz

7 years ago

I sure hope Katie wins. She was amazing in Rio. Only 19 years old and already a 5 times Olympic Gold Medalist and 1 time Olympic Silver Medalist = 6 Olympic medals! She also appears to be very grounded and likeable.