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The top 10: UK athletes sweep top three spots for 2022 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year

Mark Story
·6 min read

The top 10 finishers in voting for the 2022 Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award:

1. Oscar Tshiebwe

Did you know? In University of Kentucky men’s basketball history, only Bill Spivey (567 in 1950-51) and Cliff Hagan (528 in 1951-52) grabbed more rebounds in a season than Tshiebwe (515) did in 2021-22.

What the voters said: “… Tshiebwe’s historic season as a double-double machine to sweep every major national player of the year award is incredibly special, making him my top choice.” — Aaron Gershon, The Cats’ Pause

“Tshiebwe’s impact on the game and the state in one year is unrivaled in such a short time in Kentucky in his performance on the court, and more importantly, in leading people to Christ.” — Jeff D’Alessio, The News-Enterprise, Elizabethtown

Sports Figure factoid: Tshiebwe is the first UK men’s basketball player to finish in the top five since Tyler Ulis finished second in 2016.

Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe had more rebounds in one season in 2021-22 (515) than all but two previous Wildcats players ever did.
Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe had more rebounds in one season in 2021-22 (515) than all but two previous Wildcats players ever did.

2. Abby Steiner

Did you know? Steiner departed UK as the collegiate record-holder in three individual events — the indoor 200 meters (22.09 seconds), the outdoor 200 meters (21.8) and the indoor 300 meters (35.8).

What the voters said: “The sprinter shot to stardom with ‘Steiner Speed,’ further cementing Kentucky track and field’s reputation as one of the hottest programs in the country.” — Tyler Thompson, KentuckySportsRadio.com

“The UK track star had the most incredible year of any athlete.” — Steve Bertram, WHIR-AM 1230, FM 103.9, Danville

Sports Figure factoid: Steiner’s second-place finish is the highest for an active UK track and field athlete.

Former Kentucky track star Abby Steiner finished second in the 2022 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award voting. That is the highest finish in the 42-year history of the award for a UK track athlete.
Former Kentucky track star Abby Steiner finished second in the 2022 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award voting. That is the highest finish in the 42-year history of the award for a UK track athlete.

3. Rhyne Howard

Did you know? Howard was only the ninth player in women’s college basketball history to be named an AP first-team All-American at least three times, joining Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Chamique Holdsclaw, Alana Beard, Courtney Paris, Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore.

What the voters said: “WNBA Rookie of the Year was the cherry on top of a storied college career. “ — Evan Dennison, LINKnky.com

“(Howard has) taken her collegiate skill set and done nothing but confirmed she can do it at the next level.” — Edward Marlowe, WKDZ-FM 106.5, Cadiz

Sports Figure factoid: After finishing ninth in 2019 and second in 2020, Howard is the first UK basketball player — women’s or men’s — to log three top-10 finishes.

On her Senior Day, former Kentucky star Rhyne Howard, right, hugs teammate and roommate Blair Green.
On her Senior Day, former Kentucky star Rhyne Howard, right, hugs teammate and roommate Blair Green.

4. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Did you know? When McLaughlin-Levrone, the former one-and-done UK track star, ran 50.68 in winning the 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships last July, she broke the world record in the event for the fourth time in 13 months.

What the voters said: “Continues to set the bar in her sport. Just an absolutely dominant 2022.” — Michael Compton, Bowling Green Daily News

“Sydney is a clear-cut number one. … She has already cemented herself on the GOAT level of athletes.” — Kaden Gaylord-Day, WBKO-TV, Bowling Green

Sports Figure factoid: After finishing second last year, McLaughlin-Levrone (a New Jersey native) joins David Justice, Randall Cobb, Anthony Davis, Lamar Jackson and Ja Morant as the only pro athletes who did not grow up in Kentucky to log as many as two top-10s.

Sydney McLaughlin walks the track after winning the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships.
Sydney McLaughlin walks the track after winning the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the World Athletics Championships.

5. Flightline

Did you know? Not only did the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner go unbeaten in six career races, the Kentucky-bred won those by a whopping average margin of almost 12 lengths.

What the voters said: “The unbeaten colt dazzled those watching the Breeders’ Cup with a dominant performance, living up to all the hype.” — Lyndsey Gough, WKYT-TV

“What we saw from Flightline was absolutely incredible and we may never see anything like it again in the sport of Thoroughbred racing.” — Jody Demling, CardinalAuthority.com, Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: Flightline is the fourth horse to finish in the top five, joining Sunday Silence (fourth in 1989), American Pharoah (first in 2015) and Justify (third in 2018).

The Kentucky-bred Flightline won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course in his native state last year.
The Kentucky-bred Flightline won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course in his native state last year.

6. Justin Thomas

Did you know? In earning his second career PGA Championship victory, the St. Xavier High School alumnus rallied from eight shots down in the final round to reach a playoff and then beat Will Zalatoris with birdies on the first two holes.

What the voters said: “Fresh off of winning his second PGA Championship, (Thomas) continues to display and add excitement to the PGA.” — Beau Robinson, WLAP-AM 630, Lexington

“Thomas is truly one of the best golfers in the world and that shouldn’t change anytime soon.” — TJ Walker, WVVW-AM 1450, FM 96.1, Jeffersonville, Ind./Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: Thomas has finished in the top 20 six times in the past seven years.

Justin Thomas won his second career major championship in 2022.
Justin Thomas won his second career major championship in 2022.

7. Dani Busboom Kelly

Did you know? Over the past two seasons, Busboom Kelly has coached Louisville Cardinals volleyball to a 63-4 record, back-to-back trips to the Final Four and a berth in the 2022 NCAA championship match.

What the voters said: “Has taken Cardinals volleyball to the next level. … The Cards are now a major player in NCAA volleyball.” — Ed Peak, freelance sportswriter, Louisville

“Coach Busboom Kelly has transformed U of L volleyball … to a national power in a short amount of time.” — James Streble, WHBE-AM 680, ESPN Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: Busboom Kelly is the third volleyball coach to crack the top 10, joining UK’s Kathy DeBoer (fourth in 1987) and Craig Skinner (sixth in 2021).

Dani Busboom Kelly, center, coached Louisville to its second straight volleyball Final Four.
Dani Busboom Kelly, center, coached Louisville to its second straight volleyball Final Four.

8. Scott Davenport

Did you know? In Bellarmine’s first two seasons transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division I, Davenport coached the men’s basketball team to a 34-21 record and the 2022 ASUN Tournament championship.

What the voters said: “It is not physically possible root against or dislike this guy. There is no better coach or motivational speaker than Davenport.” — Will Clark, WHAS-AM 840, Louisville

“Bellarmine’s rise to Division I basketball has been fantastic to watch, and Davenport deserves a ton of credit.” — Sam Gormley, WMTL-AM 870, WKHG-FM 105, Leitchfield

Sports Figure factoid: Davenport makes the top 10 for the second time. He finished third in 2011.

Bellarmine men’s basketball coach Scott Davenport coached the Knights to the ASUN Tournament championship last season.
Bellarmine men’s basketball coach Scott Davenport coached the Knights to the ASUN Tournament championship last season.

9. Ja Morant

Did you know? In his third season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Morant, an ex-Murray State star, averaged 27.4 points and 6.7 assists, made his first NBA All-Star Game, first All-NBA team (second team) and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player.

What the voters said: “Simply the straw that stirs the drink for the Grizzlies.” — Ron Bailey, Maysville Ledger-Independent

“Nobody on the (Kentucky Sports Figure voting) list received more constant publicity than Ja, who provided a weekly ESPN highlight reel.” — Neal Bradley, Murray State football and men’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer

Sports Figure factoid: Morant has now logged three top-10 finishes. He was third in 2019 and seventh in 2021.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, a former Murray State star, made the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in 2021-22 and was chosen to an All-NBA Team (second team) for the initial time as well.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, a former Murray State star, made the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in 2021-22 and was chosen to an All-NBA Team (second team) for the initial time as well.

10. Rich Strike

Did you know? Only Donerail, sent off at 91-1 in 1913, has won the Kentucky Derby at longer odds than the Kentucky-bred Rich Strike (80-1) did in 2022.

What the voters said: “Horse racing captivated this year. Rich Strike delivered a Kentucky-centric upset story in the Kentucky Derby. …” — Frank Angst, The Blood-Horse

“It’s a story straight out of Hollywood. … Rich Strike proves that anything can happen at the Kentucky Derby.” — Steve Bittenbender, freelance sportswriter, Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: With Flightline fifth, this is the first time in the history of the voting that two horses finished in the top 10 in the same year.

Jockey Sonny Leon and Rich Strike pause for a photo with friends, family and supporters after winning the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Jockey Sonny Leon and Rich Strike pause for a photo with friends, family and supporters after winning the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

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