University of Washington Huskies Shine at Seattle Sports Star Awards: Celebrating Athletic Excellence!

SEATTLE – Seattle is gearing up for the annual Sports Star of the Year Awards in February, and Washington Athletics is shining bright with several nominations. Four individuals and teams from the University of Washington are in the running for top honors.

Husky Football’s exhilarating Sugar Bowl victory and the outstanding performance of Husky Men’s Rowing are nominated for Sports Story of the Year. Additionally, Hana Moll, a sophomore pole vaulter on the Track & Field team, is competing for Women’s Star of the Year. Meanwhile, Joe Waskom, a Track & Field graduate from 2024, is nominated for Men’s Star of the Year.

Fan voting is open on SeattleSports.org until January 29, with the option to vote daily.

Founded in 1935 by renowned sports editor Royal Brougham, the Sports Star of the Year Awards have been honoring excellence in Washington sports for nearly a century. This annual event includes a lively awards show and a pre-show reception, celebrating the athletes, coaches, and community members who have made memorable contributions to sports.

Past winners and special guests at the event have included sports legends like Sue Bird, Ken Griffey Jr., and Apolo Ohno.

One nomination highlights the thrilling Sugar Bowl victory, which saw the Huskies beat Texas in a dramatic game. This win helped secure a spot for UW in the college football playoff national championship game.

Men’s Rowing had a standout year, capturing their 20th national title at the IRA regatta and bringing home an impressive 11 medals at the Paris Olympics. These achievements coincided with the release of “The Boys in the Boat,” a film showcasing the legendary 1936 Washington crew who won Olympic gold.

Hana Moll made history by being the first freshman to win the NCAA Indoor title in pole vaulting. She also won the Pac-12 title, placed third at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and finished sixth at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Joe Waskom ended his stellar career with another NCAA Championship in the 1,500-meter race. He claimed victory by a hair, finishing in 3:39.48. Waskom, a talented athlete from Snoqualmie, previously held the NCAA title in 2022 at the same distance and helped lead the Huskies to a second straight Pac-12 Men’s Track & Field team title. He has since begun his professional career with adidas, achieving a personal best of 3:33.74 at the U.S. Olympic Trials.