From Riley Gaines to Walt Wells to Eric Reed, what voters said about finishers 11-25
What media members who cast votes for the 2022 Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year award said about those who finished 11 through 25:
11. Harry Mullins
2022 claim to fame: Coached UK rife team to its second straight NCAA title and fourth overall. That tied Adolph Rupp for most NCAA championships won by an NCAA Division I head coach in the commonwealth.
What the voters said: “Only second UK coach with four NCAA titles, including back-to-back. Thanks to Harry, UK is a ‘Rifle School.’” — Kenny Rice, NBC Sports, Lexington
“Mullins has made rifle relevant at Kentucky.” — Keith Taylor, KentuckyToday.com
12. Jeff Walz
2022 claim to fame: Coached Louisville women’s basketball to the Final Four for the fourth time, moving past former Western Kentucky head man Paul Sanderford (three) for the most women’s Final Four trips in state history.
What the voters said: “In a time when parity is at an all-time high and recruiting is as competitive as ever, (Walz’s) program has been consistent. ... If you watched the press conference after the Cards’ Elite Eight game against Michigan and the way the players talked about him, you easily see why he’s at the top of the list.” — Nick Curran, Louisville women’s basketball and Louisville Bats radio play-by-play announcer
“Walz has set a new standard and established himself as one of the top coaches in the history of women’s college basketball.” — Kent Taylor, formerly of WAVE-TV, Louisville
13. Brooke Forde
2022 claim to fame: Ex-Sacred Heart Academy swimming star swam for Stanford’s NCAA championship 800 freestyle relay. Helped Cardinal win Pac-12 team title. Won Pac-12 individual championships in 400 individual medley and 800 free relay. Was chosen COSIDA First Team Academic All-America for third time; NCAA Today Top 10 Award winner; and finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year Award.
What the voters said: “Brooke Forde added to her already impressive resume this past year by continuing to find success in the pool.” — Andrew Chernoff, WLKY-TV, Louisville
“The quintessential student-athlete, (and a former) Olympic medalist, too. (Forde) probably swam under the radar on this ballot but shouldn’t be overlooked for her accomplishments.” — Beau Robinson, WLAP-AM 630, Lexington
14. Claire Chaussee
2022 claim to fame: U of L volleyball star outside hitter (4.14 points/set; 3.8 kills/set; 1.72 digs/set) led the Cardinals (31-3) to the NCAA Tournament championship match. Named to the Final Four All-Tournament Team. First Team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. ACC Player of the Year.
What the voters said: “(Chaussee) is very-well-deserving to be on this list, after she led the Cardinals to the NCAA championship match.” — Ron Bailey, Maysville Ledger-Independent
“Volleyball warrants more attention than it receives from the general public, and especially in Kentucky, where we’re fortunate to have three college programs that consistently field high-quality programs. U of L nearly matched UK’s (2020) championship run, and Chaussee played a big role in the Cardinals’ march.” — Josh Moore, formerly of the Lexington Herald-Leader
15. Riley Gaines
2022 claim to fame: UK star won the 200 butterfly (SEC record 1:51.51) and 200 freestyle (school-record 1:46.62) at SEC Championships. Finished fifth in 200 free at NCAA championships. Named SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year (3.876 GPA in health sciences) and SEC Community Service Female Leader of the Year.
What the voters said: “Former UK swimmer Riley Gaines was the quintessential student athlete. Excelling in the pool, classroom and in the community. ... (She) has become a voice for women’s rights after graduation.” — Larry Glover, WVLK-AM 590, Lexington
“(Gaines was) as outstanding out of the pool as in. A fighter not only for her sport, but ALL women’s sports! A winner.” — Brad Munson, WKYX-FM 94.3, Paducah
16. Walt Wells
2022 claim to fame: After recovering from a major “cardiac event,” returned to coach the Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team (7-5) to a share of the ASUN title and EKU’s first berth in the FCS playoffs since 2014. Named ASUN Coach of the Year.
What the voters said: “The man was literally dead and came back to lead EKU back to the playoffs. Disney movie in the making.” — Zack Klemme, formerly of the Ashland Daily-Independent
“So happy my friend is still with us but amazing what (Wells) was able to do this season after going through such a scary episode.” — Keith Farmer, WLEX-TV, Lexington
17. Eric Reed
2022 claim to fame: Lexington-based horseman trained 80-1 long shot Rich Strike to a stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby. Also conditioned Rich Strike to fourth-place finishes in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.
What the voters said: “It just means more is the SEC slogan, but it also applies to Kentuckians who train horses and win the Kentucky Derby, especially at 80-1 odds. What a story.” — Daniel Rieffer, LINKnky.com
“It felt good to see the local guy from the small barn bring home the big one. It was the shot of positivity (horse racing) needed at a critical time.” — Will Clark, WHAS-AM 840, Louisville
18. Travis Egan
2022 claim to fame: The Bullitt East High School quarterback (2,934 yards, 35 TDs passing; 979 yards, 17 TDs rushing) led the Chargers (14-1) to the Class 6A state title. Voted Mr. Football and Class 6A Player of the Year by the Kentucky Football Coaches Association.
What the voters said: “Capped one of the most thrilling state football championships with one of its best ever game-winning plays. Deserved choice as Mr. Football whose name will forever be mentioned whenever Bullitt East comes into conversation.” — Jared Peck, Lexington Herald-Leader
“Travis Egan capped a story-book career playing as a member of a famous football family.” — Paul Rogers, Louisville Cardinals football and men’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer
19. Michael Mayer
2022 claim to fame: Ex-Covington Catholic tight end was consensus All-America after leading Notre Dame (9-4) in receptions (67), receiving yards (809) and TD catches (nine). First Team All-America by The Sporting News, AP & Walter Camp. Second Team All-America by American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association of America. Ended Notre Dame career as the Fighting Irish all-time leader in catches (180), receiving yards (2,099) and TDs (18) by a tight end.
What the voters said: “Great career at Notre Dame, projected top 15 NFL Draft pick and always nice to see northern Kentucky be represented on the national scene.” — Beau Robinson, WLAP-AM 630, Lexington
“What this young man did on the football field at Notre Dame this past season was amazing.” — Ivan K. Rice, Bourbon County Citizen
20. Jeff Brohm
2022 claim to fame: The Louisville product coached Purdue (8-5 regular season, 6-3 Big Ten) to the Big Ten West Division title, the school’s first, and a berth in the Citrus Bowl.
What the voters said: “Winning a division in the Big Ten is no small feat, especially at a place like Purdue. He left West Lafayette on a high to re-energize his downtrodden, hometown fan base (as the new Louisville head coach) in a way that only he could.” — Nick Roush, KentuckySportsRadio.com
“What Brohm did at Purdue was outstanding. Great person, excellent football coach. Louisville hit a grand slam hiring him.” — Ed Peak, freelance sportswriter, Louisville
21. Devin Booker
2022 claim to fame: Ex-UK guard and current Phoenix Suns star (26.8 ppg, 5 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.1 steals) was chosen First Team All-NBA and made the NBA All-Star Game for the third time.
What the voters said: “Devin Booker has become a lethal scorer in the NBA.” — Lonny Demaree, Kentucky Sports Report, Lexington
“Has become First Team All-NBA (and is a player Cal should have played more).” — Alan Cutler, WLXG-AM 1300, FM-96.1
22. John Calipari
2022 claim to fame: UK men’s basketball coach spearheaded the raising of millions of dollars for relief efforts to aid those afflicted by tornadoes in western Kentucky and flooding in eastern Kentucky.
What the voters said: “The coach was truly a fund-raising star in raising millions of dollars in helping the devastated Kentucky communities hit by tornadoes and flooding.” — Jamie Vaught, KySportsStyle.com, Middlesboro
“What (Calipari) did for Kentuckians in raising money to go toward damages and losses in our state can’t compete with any sports story. He and his program immediately went into action to help bring efforts to a great cause.” — Trevor Rice, WTTL-FM 103.5, WWKY-FM 104.9, Madisonville
23. Will Levis
2022 claim to fame: Kentucky Wildcats quarterback (2,406 yards passing, 19 TDs, 65.4% completions) directed the Cats to a 7-5 regular-season record and a berth in the Music City Bowl.
What the voters said: “Levis’ numbers weren’t as flashy in 2022, but he’s still a projected top 10 NFL Draft pick, which will bring more attention to Kentucky football’s rise.” — Tyler Thompson, KentuckySportsRadio.com
“Though a down season compared to expectation, the Kentucky Wildcats were head and shoulders better when Levis was on the field. Defeated rivals Florida and Louisville in consecutive seasons.” — Angelo Carriero, WLXG-AM 1300, FM 96.1
24. Mark Stoops
2022 claim to fame: Coached Kentucky (7-6) to a berth in the Music City Bowl, UK’s seventh straight postseason trip. With victory over Florida in second game of the season, passed Paul “Bear” Bryant (60-23-5 from 1946 through 1953) to become Kentucky’s all-time coaching wins (now 66-59) leader.
What the voters said: “For decades, Paul “Bear” Bryant’s school record for victories was untouchable. It took Mark Stoops a decade to break it.” — Keith Taylor, KentuckyToday.com
“Yes, it was a disappointing season, but I don’t think we will ever see another Kentucky football coach reach 60 wins in our lifetime. (Stoops’) efforts to put Kentucky football on the map are spectacular.” — Trevor Rice, WTTL-FM 103.5, WWKY-FM 104.9, Madisonville
25. Montana Fouts
2022 claim to fame: A former East Carter High School softball star, the Alabama Crimson Tide pitcher (24-8, 2.02 ERA, 268 K’s) was Second Team All-America by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and First Team All-SEC. A First Team COSIDA Academic All-American. Led the Crimson Tide (44-13) to NCAA Tournament region finals. Also pitched five scoreless innings for gold-medal-winning Team USA in World Games 2022.
What the voters said: “Twenty-four wins on the mound for the Crimson Tide last season and five scoreless innings en-route to a gold medal for team USA — impressive.” — Lindsey Gough, WKYT-TV, Lexington
“The former East Carter star has taken her hurling to the next level in one of the country’s best softball conferences. Her fastball is north of 70 miles per hour, and after logging 268 K’s last year, she’s proven to be virtually unhittable.” — Edward Marlowe, WKDZ-FM 106.5, Cadiz
Below are comments about some who received first-place votes but finished outside the Top 25:
Ciara O’Shea
2022 claim to fame: Madison Central High School distance-running star won the Class 3A cross country state championship (time of 17:07.6 for 5K) for the fifth straight year. Won Class 3A track state championships at 1,600 meters (state record 4:52.67) and at 3,200 meters (10:32.83).
What the voters said: “The fastest girls’ distance runner in Kentucky high school history deserves all our flowers. O’Shea owned the state for five years and will continue to represent our commonwealth well as she competes for the University of North Carolina.” — Josh Moore, formerly of the Lexington Herald-Leader
“No Kentucky high school athlete has ever dominated their sport or events the way Ciara has the past five years.” Susan Riddell, formerly of The State Journal in Frankfort
Malachi Corley
2022 claim to fame: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver was fourth in the FBS in receptions (101), fourth in receiving yards (1,295) and seventh in receiving TDs (11).
What a voter said: “You can pull up any statistic for a wide receiver and (Corley) will rank toward the top, but it’s more than that. Malachi is a Kentucky kid through and through. Just a kid from Campbellsville chasing his dreams and changing lives one day at a time. After his standout season for WKU in 2022, Malachi had every reason to try and take his talents to a higher level, but he instead never thought twice about staying a part of the Hilltopper family. ...” — Lauren Floyd, WBKO-TV, Bowling Green
Alan Jones
2022 claim to fame: Coached Ballard High School girls’ softball to an undefeated (39-0) state championship.
What a voter said: “I had to give Jones the top spot because he has done a lot for Kentucky high school athletics and leading his team to only the third undefeated season in Kentucky softball history sealed the deal for me.” — Conor Revell, formerly of LouisvilleCatholicSports.net
Oksana Masters
2022 claim to fame: Louisville Paralympian won three gold medals (one in cross country skiing and two in biathlon) and four silver medals (all in cross-country skiing) for Team USA in the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.
What a voter said: “(Masters) became the U.S.’s all-time winningest Winter Olympian or Parlaympian after claiming a career-best seven medals at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing. ... The Atherton High grad, who was born in the Ukraine with several birth defects as the result of radiation poisoning from the Chernobyl disaster, (is an) underappreciated Olympic star.” — Brad Laux, 1016Sports.com
