RVA Sports Awards voting is open until Jan. 15

The Richmond Region Tourism Foundation and its partners have announced finalists for the 3rd annual RVA Sports Awards, an event to honor athletes, coaches and groups working to better the region through sports.

Public voting will take place online at wtvr.com/contests/rva-sports-awards until Jan. 15, and winners will be recognized at the RVA Sports Awards on Feb. 3 at the Altria Theater.

Finalists for the Female Athlete of the Year include Addie Budnik (University of Richmond women’s basketball), Godwin graduate Britton Wilson (University of Arkansas track and field), Gurún Karítas Hallgrímsdóttir (Virginia Commonwealth University track and field), and Rilee Baughan (Randolph-Macon College softball).

Finalists for Male Athlete of the Year are Ace Baldwin Jr. (VCU basketball), Miles Mallory (RMC basketball), Tristan Wheeler (UR football), and Willie Drew (Virginia State University football).

Team of the Year finalists include RMC softball, Richmond Flying Squirrels, and Virginia Union University football, while Moment of the Year finalists include Josh Parker of Collegiate H.S. soccer (state championship winning goal), Midlothian H.S. baseball (catcher consoles pitcher after giving up walk-off hit in regional final), and VCU wins A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship.

Finalists for Coach of the Year include Andy Steuart (Patrick Henry H.S. boys’ volleyball), Anne Harrington (UR women’s lacrosse), Cheryl Groce-Wright (Sports Backers marathon training), Dennis Pelfrey (Richmond Flying Squirrels manager), and Pedro Arruza – RMC football).

Youth Athlete of the Year finalists are Eli Cramer of Cosby H.S., Isaac Lamprecht of New Kent H.S., Julia Mann of Godwin H.S., Lanie Grant of James River H.S., and Tony Allen Jr. of Armstrong H.S.  Finalists for Youth Team of the Year include Armstrong H.S. football, Hanover H.S. baseball, John Marshall H.S. boys’ basketball, and Richmond United U17 soccer.

Finalists for Event Impact of the Year are Dominion Energy Riverrock, Jefferson Cup Soccer, Richmond Raceway/Bubba’s Block Party, and Tri-Cities Chili Peppers Baseball (Faulkner Foundation).

Proceeds from the RVA Sports Awards support the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation’s Sports Tourism Grant initiative, a nonprofit program that distributes grants to local sports organizations to develop new events and expand existing events to attract new visitors to the region. The event will also fund a scholarship program to support two annual scholarships for students at Virginia State University’s Sports and Hospitality Management Program and in the Center for Sport Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.

For details about event tickets and sponsorships, visit www.RVASportsAwards.com.