American Olympic superstar Missy Franklin has been honored as the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s 2012 Amateur Athlete of the Year, the organization announced today. This is the second-straight year she took the honor, after winning last year.
She was joined in the honor by Peyton Manning, the quarterback of the Denver Broncos who was named the Professional Athlete of the Year after leading the team to the best record in the NFL in his first year at the helm of the team.
Chalk up another honor for Franklin, who was named the Athlete of the Year at the USAS Convention, the Golden Goggles Swimmer of the Year honor, and a Swammy for Record Breaking Performance of the Year. She’s been nominated for several other awards as well, though she gymnast Gabby Douglas has come away with many of those.
For Franklin to win this award is no small task, considering that the USOC and the Olympic Training Center are headquartered in the state.
Arizona freshman Bonnie Brandon, who had a number of great battles with Franklin at last year’s HS State Championship meet, was honored as the female high school athlete of the year. The tall backstroker (sound familiar?) swam for Regis rivals Cherry Creek. She set two state records at the CHSAA championship meet in the spring in the 200 IM (1:59.09) and 500 free (4:43.52 – 8 seconds off of her old record). That capped her career with 14 state titles.
She then took a silver medal in the 200 back at the 2012 Short Course World Championships in December.
Other award winners:
- Collegiate Athletes Shalaya Kipp (Colorado track/cross-country) and Ross Dausin (CSU-Pueblo football)
- HS Athletes of the Year: Bonnie Brandon (Cherry Creek swimming) and Wilkins Dismuke (Rock Canyon lacrosse)
- Disabled Athlete of the Year Lacey Henderson (National Sports Center for the Disabled).
