DES MOINES, IOWA The public is encouraged to cast their votes for the best athletes in Greater Des Moines. Voting for the 2012 Central Iowa Sports Awards will be live through Sunday, February 10 at www.facebook.com/catchdesmoines. Votes may also be emailed to info@catchdesmoines.com. Winners will be announced in March.

The Central Iowa Sports Awards recognize the best athletes, teams and games of the year. All nominated activities must have occurred ­­within a 75-mile radius of home plate in Principal Park.

The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Area Sports Commission are excited to announce the following finalists for the 2012 Central Iowa Sports Awards:

HIGH SCHOOL

Male Athlete of the Year

-       Austin Halls- Murray Multi-Sport    

-       Cory Clark- Southeast Polk Wrestling

-       John Meeks- Roosevelt Wrestling

-       Joel Lanning- Ankeny Football

 

Female Athlete of the Year

-       Maddie Manning- Ankeny Basketball

-       Maggie James- Ames Diving

-       Shayla Starkenburg- Ankeny Softball

-       Taylor Flummerfelt- Ames Swimming

 

Team of the Year

-       Ankeny Football Team

-       Ankeny Softball Team

-       Des Moines Oak Leafs Hockey Team

-       Martensdale-St. Marys Baseball Team

 

Game of the Year

-       Iowa City West vs. Ankeny, Girls State Basketball

-       Johnston vs. Urbandale, State football playoffs

-       Pride of Iowa Conference, Senior All Star Game

 

COLLEGE

Male Athlete of the Year

-       Jack Taylor- Grinnell College Basketball

-       Jake Knott- Iowa State University Football

-       Royce White- Iowa State University Basketball

-       Tyler Moorehead- Drake University Football

 

Female Athlete of the Year

-       Betsy Saina- Iowa State University Cross Country

-       Katie Flood- University of Washington Cross Country 

-       Rachael Hackbarth- Drake University Basketball

-       Sarah Burnell- Grinnell College Cross Country

 

Team of the Year

-       Drake University Football

-       Grand View University Wrestling

-       Iowa State University Men’s Basketball

 

Game of the Year

-       Baylor vs. Tennessee, NCAA Women’s Regional

-       Big Four Classic, Men’s Basketball

-       Grinnell College vs. Faith Baptist Bible College, Men's Basketball

 

PROFESSIONAL/MOTORSPORTS/OTHER

Athlete of the Year  

-       Anthony Rizzo- Iowa Cubs

-       Gabrielle Douglas- Olympic Gymnast

-       Jenifer McIntire- Iowa Crush

-       Ricky Stenhouse Jr.- NASCAR

 

Event of the Year

-       Des Moines Blaze Midwest Football Alliance Championship

-       HyVee Ironkids Triathlon National Championships

-       USA Volleyball High Performance Championships

-       NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships

 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

-       Dave Whims- Ankeny High School

-       E. Wayne Cooley- Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union

-       Liang Chow- Chow’s Gymnastics

-       Paul Morrison- Drake University