The Des Moines Area Sports Commission (DMASC) has announced its first winners of the Central Iowa Sports Awards, recognizing athletic excellence with honor in 2009. The winners were named Sunday, February 21, 2010 at The Meadows, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona.

Central Iowa Sports Awards have been awarded to the following:
High School

  • Female Athlete of the Year: Katie Flood, Dowling Cross Country
  • Male Athlete of the Year: Harrison Barnes, Ames Basketball
  • Play of the Year: Morgan Hoeg, Waukee, Walk-off Homerun against Valley
  • Game of the Year: Marshalltown Football, Marshalltown vs. Dowling
  • Team of the Year: Dowling Catholic Cross Country

College/University

  • Female Athlete of the Year: Alison Lacey, Iowa State Basketball
  • Male Athlete of the Year: Craig Brackins, Iowa State Basketball
  • Play of the Year: Jesse Smith, Iowa State Football, Interception vs. Nebraska
  • Game of the Year: Iowa State University Football, Iowa State University vs. Nebraska
  • Team of the Year: Drake University Men’s Soccer

Professional/Motorsports/Other

  • Athlete of the Year: Justin Hartwig, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Event of the Year: Nationwide NASCAR Race

Lifetime Achievement

  • Jim Williams, Dowling Football


Video of the awards banquet will air on Mediacom Connections Channel 22 on a date that is still to be determined. Photos will appear on DesMoinesSports.com in March.

Central Iowans cast their votes for individuals and teams who have pursued athletic excellence with honor in 2009, within a 75-mile radius of Principal Park. The Central Iowa Sports Awards’ Honor Committee reviewed the nominees and asked the public to vote for their top choices via the DMASC website in early February. From those votes, the Honor Committee named the above winners.

The Central Iowa Sports Awards’ Honor Committee is made up of: Des Moines Area Sports Commission Vice President of Sports and Development Al Lorenzen, The Des Moines Register Sports Editor Bryce Miller, ABC5 Sports Director John Walters, KCCI NewsChannel 8 Sports Director Andy Garman, WHO-TV Channel 13 Sports Director Keith Murphy, 1460 KXNO’s Ken Miller and Iowa Sports Connection’s Mike Rickord.