2009 ESPY Award nominees announced
The 2009 ESPY Awards are upon us, and set to air Sunday, July 19th at 9pm, with Samuel L. Jackson as host (we’ll miss you JT). This year there are a whopping 37 categories and Michael Phelps leads the way with four nominations.
The ESPY Awards honor the best achievements, moments and leading athletes of the previous year. Fans determine winners through online (www.espys.tv) and mobile phone voting (www.espn.mobi) that begins today and runs through July 11.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award will be given to former South African president Nelson Mandela. Dara Torres, who won three silver medals as a 41-year-old swimmer at the Beijing Olympics, will receive the Best Comeback award.
The voting has begun so be sure to cast your vote for your fave nominees….
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Natalie Coughlin, Swimming
Nastia Liukin, Gymnastics
Maya Moore, NCAA Basketball
Candace Parker, WNBA
Serena Williams, Tennis
BEST MALE ATHLETE
Kobe Bryant, NBA
LeBron James, NBA
Jimmie Johnson, Auto Racing
Michael Phelps, Swimming
BEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimming
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Olympic Beach Volleyball
BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gymnastics
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Courtney Kupets, Gymnastics, UGA
Kerrie Hanks, Soccer, Notre Dame
Danielle Lawrie, Softball, Washington
Maya Moore, Basketball, UConn
Dana Vollmer, Swimming, Stanford
BEST FEMALE INTERNATIONAL ATHLETE
Marta, Soccer, Brazil
Yelena Isinbayeva, Pole Vault, Russia
Lorena Ochoa, Golf, Mexico
Stephanie Rice, Swimming, Australia
Dinara Safina, Tennis, Russia
BEST FEMALE ACTION SPORTS ATHLETE
Torah Bright, Snowboarding
Ashley Fiolek, Motocross
Sarah Burke, Skiing
Maya Gabeira, Surfing
BEST RECORD BREAKING PERFORMANCE
Usain Bolt, Olympic Sprinter
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Phelps, Olympic Swimmer
BEST UPSET
Mine That Bird wins the Kentucky Derby
Oregon State stuns then #1 USC
Tampa Bay Rays win the American League Championship Series
US Soccer shocks Spain in the Confederations Cup semifinals
BEST GAME
Federer vs. Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon Final
Steelers vs. Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII
Syracuse vs. Connecticut in the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals
BEST MOMENT
Florida’s Tim Tebow’s speech
Helio Castroneves wins the Indy 500
US swim team wins thrilling finish in Olympic relay
BEST TEAM
Connecticut Women’s Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers
North Carolina Men’s Basketball
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Steelers
In that last category, Go UConn!!
