Candace Parker selected AP Female Athlete of Year

December 23, 2008 -  She led Tennessee to a second straight national championship in women’s basketball, was the first pick in the WNBA Draft, took the league’s MVP and rookie of the year awards, helped the U.S. win a fourth-straight Olympic gold medal and, oh she got married last month.

Now Candace Parker has been selected Female Athlete of the Year by members of the Associated Press.  She is only the third basketball player to win the women’s award, joining Sheryl Swoopes in 1993 and Rebecca Lobo in 1995.

Golfer Lorena Ochoa finished one vote shy of becoming only the fourth three-time winner of the award. Rounding out the top five were gymnast Nastia Liukin, swimmer Dara Torres, and gymnast Shawn Johnson. 

And who won the Male Athlete of the Year? Michael Phelps of course!