Townley Haas Among Finalists For 89th Annual Sullivan Award

townley-haas-carl-lewis-tim-phillips-sullivan-award

Haas with Carl Lewis and Tim Phillips; Photo Courtesy: Greg Eggert

University of Texas senior Townley Haas was among the eight finalists for the 89th annual AAU Sullivan Award that was given to the nation’s top amateur athlete. The award was ultimate won by Kathryn Plummer, a volleyball player at Stanford.

2019 Finalists:

Mikaela Foecke (Nebraska) – volleyball
Rachel Garcia (UCLA) – softball
Townley Haas (Texas) – swimming
Aleia Hobbs (LSU) – track & field
Morgan Hurd (USAG) – gymnastics
Luke Maye (UNC) – basketball
McKenzie Milton (UCF) – football
Kathryn Plummer (Stanford) – volleyball

The Sullivan Award finalists; Photo Courtesy: Greg Eggert

A 15-time Big 12 Champion and 13-time All-American, Haas has earned NCAA National Championships in the last three seasons. In 2018, he took home the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle gold. In 2019, he’s already nabbed gold in the Big 12 in the 200 and 500 again, the fourth straight year in the 200. He also won the 500 free for the third time in his career at NCAAs this past weekend in his home pool. He also was on two winning relays this week at NCAAs, anchoring Texas to wins in the 800 free and 400 free relays to start and end the meet.

In the 200 free, he has the second fastest time in history with a time of 1:29.50 that he set at the 2018 NCAAs. He also holds the NCAA Record in the 500 free of 4:08.19, the second fastest time in history.

A member of the USA Swimming National Team, Haas is also a 2x gold medalist at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, winning the individual 200 free and anchoring the 4×200 free relay team. He looks to repeat his Olympic gold from Rio again in 2020 in Tokyo. He was fifth in the 200 free at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and also swam the fastest leg on the winning 4×200 free relay team in Rio.

Out of the pool, he volunteered time in Texas’ community service program with the Longhorn Halloween event and Orange Santa being among the events.

12 swimmers have won the AAU Sullivan Award in its history that dates back to 1930 with Missy Franklin being the last swimmer to win the award in 2012.

The winner of the award was announced last night in New York City.

Haas will represent the United States at the World Championships later this summer in the 200 free and 4×200 free relay.

Haas with track and field legend Carl Lewis; Photo Courtesy: Greg Eggert

Sullivan Award Winners (Swimming & Diving)

1944- Ann Curtis
1953- Sammy Lee
1956- Pat McCormick
1964- Don Schollander
1968- Debbie Meyer
1970- John Kinsella
1971- Mark Spitz
1975- Tim Shaw
1977- John Naber
1978- Tracy Caulkins
1984- Greg Louganis
1989- Janet Evans
2003- Michael Phelps
2006- Jessica Long
2012- Missy Franklin

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Thomas A. Small

5 years ago

Congratulations

Balbir Singh Nhake Ram

5 years ago

good day

Sheryl Barnicoat Jones

5 years ago

Congratulations