On the heels of his second Big Ten title at heavyweight, Buckeye wrestler Kyle Snyder was named as one of eighteen semifinalists for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the AAU to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the country each year.
Snyder is rightfully nominated thanks to his sheer dominance on the wrestling mat as he has won 23 consecutive NCAA matches, including his first national title where he defeated two-time NCAA champion Nick Gwiazdowski of NC State. On the international level, Snyder defeated defending Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner for a spot on the United States Olympic team before winning a gold medal of his own at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
The Sullivan Award has been given to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States since 1930, but Snyder would be just the fourth wrestler to win the award should he be presented with the award. Snyder would join fellow Olympic gold medalists John Smith, Bruce Baumgartner, and Rulon Gardner as Sullivan Award winners if he is selected as the winner. Other notable Sullivan Award winners include Tim Tebow, Michael Johnson, Peyton Manning, Carl Lewis, and Michael Phelps among many others. Snyder would like to join fellow Buckeyes Ezekiel Elliott and Paul Hamm as Sullivan Award winners.
Along with Kyle Snyder, other notable semifinalists include Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Kentucky basketball star Malik Monk, Olympic gold medal wrestler Helen Maroulis, gymnasts Laurie Hernandez and Aly Raisman, and two-time Olympic champion judoka Kayla Harrison.
Fans can vote for their choice for the Sullivan Award from March 6th until midnight on March 13th. You can vote once per 24 hours. The winner will be announced at the New York Athletic Club on April 11.
