Anyone who had a chance to watch the University of Washington football team last season knew that Michael Penix Jr. was a star.
The Seattle Sports Commission announced Thursday night that Penix was named Men's Sports Star of the Year at the 89th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards held at the Westin Seattle. Officially announced.
Penix won the award last month after leading the Huskies to the national championship game against Michigan, finishing the season with an NCAA-best 4,903 passing yards and throwing for 36 touchdowns, which ranks third in the nation.
Penix has thrown for over 4,000 yards in each of his two seasons at Montlake after transferring from Indiana University in late 2021, and is expected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Penix won the award over Mariners shortstop JP Crawford, Kraken center Matty Beniers, Sounders goaltender Stephen Frye and UW wide receiver Roman Odunze.
“This means a lot,” Penix said. “Those names… they've all been great for the city and have done a lot of great things in their respective sports. I'm really happy to be a part of that.”
Penix and the rest of his college teammates won the Sports Story of the Year award after the Huskies went undefeated in the regular season until losing to Michigan in the title game.
It was Washington's first appearance in the College Football Playoff since 2016, and the Huskies set a program record with 14 wins in a season.
University of California linebacker Carson Bruner spoke after the award was announced, honoring his accomplishments by winning the Apple Cup, winning the last Pac-12 title, appearing in the school's first national title game, and ending the school's regular season undefeated. He mentioned some of the Huskies' biggest accomplishments. First time since 1991.
The last accomplishment he mentioned drew the loudest cheers from the crowd.
“Lastly, we beat Oregon twice this year alone,” Bruner said.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Lloyd won the Women's Sports Star of the Year award. Lloyd broke the WNBA's single-season scoring record with 939 points in 2023, and also broke league records for free throws and games of 25 or more points.
She was named All-Star Game MVP with 31 points, breaking the 30-point record held by Maya Moore and former college star Kelsey Plumb.
“I'm not taking this moment for granted. It's pretty crazy, to be honest,” Lloyd said in a video acceptance speech. “…I want to remind you all to bet on yourself and believe in yourself. You are chosen and you are where you are meant to be.”
Other nominees in the women's category are Seattle Pacific track and field star and national 800-meter champion Vanessa Anitei, Seattle Reign defender Lauren Burns, and Washington State basketball standout Charlis Leisure. Walker, Bellevue's 14-year-old golf prodigy Angela Chan qualified. The U.S. Women's Open was held at Pebble Beach last year.
Reign head coach Laura Harvey, who led her team to the NWSL finals, was named Leader of the Year.
Harvey served as the team's first-ever head coach from 2013 to 2017 before taking over as Utah's coach from 2018 to 2021, during which time he also coached the U.S. Women's National Team. Harvey returned to Seattle in 2021, and she became the first coach in NWSL history to reach 200 career wins last July.
Other candidates include Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol, University of Wisconsin softball head coach Heather Tarr, University of Wisconsin women's basketball coach Kamie Ethridge, and Seattle University men's soccer coach Pete Fewing. became.
Former Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone received the Keith Jackson Media Excellence Award. Mr. Stone retired in November after 27 years at the Times.
“This is kind of a new experience for me because I'm used to covering other award winners in the stands and in the press box,” Stone said. “But it's a great feeling. I'm very grateful to the Seattle Sports Commission for this honor.”
Megan Rapinoe received the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award, and former Seattle Totem Gyle Fielder, 93, received a standing ovation as he received the Royal Brougham Sports Legend Award. He was the first professional hockey player to score his 2,000 points at any level, and he was awarded WHL MVP six times.
“Hockey is a team sport,” Fielder said. “I didn't do this alone.”
Olivia Vitello, an 11-year-old UC softball fan receiving enzyme replacement therapy at Seattle Children's Hospital, received the Wayne Gittinger Inspirational Youth Award from former UC softball player Silent Lane Espinoza. was awarded.
The Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 was also recognized, including longtime Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, former Seahawks and Washington State University head coach Dennis Erickson, and former Blue University quarterback Steve Pelleher. , Aodai Associate Athletic Director Chip Rydam, and Athletic. trainer Jim Whitesell;
