KSR's 2021 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Ballots

by:KSR•01/25/22

If you missed the news this morning, Wan’Dale Robinson is the Herald-Leader’s 2021 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year. The Kentucky Football star drew the most votes from a panel of media members across the state, narrowly edging out Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin. Mark Stoops, Madison Lilley, and Lee Kiefer rounded out the top five in a very deep field.

The KSR crew submitted our ballots a few weeks ago; as is our annual tradition when the results are announced, we’re sharing them with you today. Judge away.

Nick Roush’s Ballot

1. Wan’Dale Robinson — The former Mr. Kentucky Football came home to play for the worst passing offense in Power Five football, then proceeded to break every UK receiving record set during the Air Raid era.

2. Sydney McLaughlin — How many times are former Kentucky Wildcats the face of US Summer Olympic team? Almost never.

3. Madison Lilley — The face of Kentucky’s National Championship winning volleyball team, the setter never flinched, no matter how big the moment was for Craig Skinner’s Cats.

4. Bailey Zappe — The jump from FCS to FBS was no problem for the record-setting quarterback.

5. Jeff Brohm — Not only did Brohm provide shocking upsets, he was the most talked about sports figure in the city of Louisville at the end of 2021 as Cardinal fans clamored to bring the former quarterback home to replace Scott Satterfield. Ultimately, a toxic relationship among administrators prevented it from happening.

6. Lee Kiefer — The first-ever US woman to win the foil even for America, she deserves all of the accolades and then some.

7. Jim Matney — An inspiration to the Johnson Central football team, the Kentucky high school football community gave Matney a powerful send off, lighting up stadiums across the Commonwealth in his honor.

8. Darian Kinnard — Arguably the best offensive tackle in school history, Kentucky’s success on the gridiron would not be possible without Kinnard’s consistent contributions.

9. Adam Duvall — Seen by some as a has-been, his career renaissance was just what the Braves needed to end a lengthy World Series drought.

10. Anna Stevenson — Only the National Champions could give the unbeaten Cards a loss and Stevenson was a force in the middle, despite being relatively undersized for the position.

Tyler Thompson’s Ballot

1. Jim Matney — Watching teams across the Bluegrass pay tribute to Matney was a testament to his impact on Kentucky high school football and the mountain spirit.

2. Wan’Dale Robinson — The Frankfort native finally came home in 2021 and made his one season as a Wildcat count. Kentucky Football’s one-and-done broke school records, helped lead the Cats to another ten-win season, and paved the way for future homegrown talent to rake in NIL money, all while improving his NFL Draft stock.

3. Sydney McLaughlin — The entire nation was cheering, “Go Syd Go!” last summer, one of many golden moments for the Kentucky Track program in the Tokyo Olympics.

4. Mark Stoops — After another 10-win season, Stoops is one victory away from breaking Bear Bryant’s record at Kentucky. With a new contract extension in hand and the future looking brighter than ever, Stoops will certainly reach it and cement his place as the program’s most successful coach.

5. Madison Lilley — Kentucky Volleyball’s national title was one of the few highlights of a depressing 2020-21 UK sports season. Lilley and the rest of the Cats brought smiles to a weary Big Blue Nation and inspired a generation of girls in a growing sport.

6. Jensen Castle, Women’s Golf

7. Josh Paschal — A three-time Kentucky Football captain, Paschal was the heart and soul of another special season.

8. Lee Keifer, Women’s Fencing

9. Rhyne Howard, Women’s Basketball

10. Reed Sheppard — Even before Sheppard announced he will follow in his parents’ footsteps at Kentucky, the 17-year-old North Laurel star had captured the attention of the Big Blue Nation. This won’t be the last time he makes this list.

Zack Geoghegan’s Ballot

1. Madison Lilley — There is just a handful of Kentucky Wildcats who were able to leave Lexington with the accolades of Madison Lilley; National Champion, National Player of the Year, ESPY finalist, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and more All-American teams that I can list on one hand. She was the superstar on an all-time great volleyball team that pushed the Kentucky program into elite status. Lilley made a basketball-obsessed fanbase fall in love with volleyball for a magical postseason run.

2. Sydney McLaughlin, women’s track & field

3. Wan’Dale Robinson — The bar was set incredibly high for Wan’Dale Robinson when he announced his transfer from Nebraska to Kentucky, and he somehow surpassed them. He broke the UK record for both receptions and receiving yards in a single season on his way to a special performance at the Citrus Bowl. Robinson was the key to the Wildcats’ 20-17 victory over Iowa, catching 10 balls for 170 yards. Football normally doesn’t have one-and-dones, but the KY native was and is a unique talent.

4. Liam Draxl, men’s tennis

5. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, women’s track & field

6. Jim Matney, football

7. Rhyne Howard — Gunning for her third straight SEC Player of the Year award, Rhyne Howard will eventually go down as one of the two greatest Kentucky Women’s Basketball hoopers of all time. Now a senior, she’s been a guaranteed All-American since her sophomore season and is expected to be a top-two pick once this year’s WNBA Draft rolls around. Players like Howard are generational-type talents and Kentucky is lucky that she can call Lexington home.

8. Will Shaner, rifle

9. Lee Keifer, women’s fencing

10. Scott Davenport, men’s basketball

Drew Franklin’s Ballot

1. Wan’Dale Robinson — Robinson’s one-year homecoming had a storybook ending at the Citrus Bowl and he left behind a blueprint for future wide receivers in Kentucky’s new offense.

2. Madison Lilley — Lilley had an Anthony Davis-like year for Kentucky Volleyball.

3. Sydney McLaughlin — The biggest celebrity on this list.

4. Craig Skinner — Skinner coached Kentucky to its first volleyball title, also the first volleyball championship for the entire Southeastern Conference.

5. Mark Stoops — Four bowl wins in a row and another 10-win season, plus major moves in recruiting and investments in the program. If he’s not careful, this will get normal and he’ll need to do even more to earn future Sports Figure of the Year votes.

6. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn — Camacho-Quinn ran the fourth-fastest time ever in Tokyo in the women’s 100m hurdles and brought the gold medal back with her.

7. Lee Kiefer — First American to win gold in individual foil fencing, she gets a vote.

8. Will Levis — Levis won over Kentucky Football’s fan base in a hurry, both on and off the field. He’s a name to watch for this award in 2022.

9. Will Shaner — You might’ve noticed; if you win individual gold at the Olympics, you’re getting a vote from me.

10. Jim Matney — A vote in memory of a mountain legend.

Jack Pilgrim’s Ballot

1. Sydney McLaughlin — Winning two gold medals at the Olympics and setting the world record in the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin proved to be the fastest woman in the world at her event

2. Madison Lilley — NCAA champion, NCAA Tournament MOP, AVCA National Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American and SEC Player of the Year. The women’s volleyball superstar earned just about every honor possible while leading Kentucky to its first title in program history

3. Jim Matney — A high school football legend out of the mountains

4. Wan’Dale Robinson — The most dominant season for a Kentucky football wide receiver in program history

5. Mark Stoops — Coached Kentucky to its second 10-win season in four years, led the football team to its fourth consecutive bowl win

6. Rhyne Howard — Back-to-back SEC Player of the Year, 1st Team All-American and gold medalist in FIBA AmeriCup

7. Craig Skinner — The AVCA National Coach of the Year led the Kentucky volleyball team to its first title in program history

8. Josh Paschal — 1st Team All-SEC member and 2nd Team All-American closed out a standout career with Kentucky football

9. Reed Sheppard — Averaged 30.1 points and 7.1 rebounds as a sophomore at North Laurel, earned scholarship offer from Kentucky in July and committed in November

10. Mary Tucker — Led UK rifle to its 3rd NCAA team title with individual championships in air rifle, smallbore & aggregate; won silver medal at Tokyo Olympics

Adam Luckett’s Ballot

1. Madison Lilley — Player of the Year who led her team to its first-ever national championship. This one was an easy call.

2. Wan’Dale Robinson — If wins above replacement could be quantified as a football stat, the Nebraska transfer would’ve had the highest number outside of Lynn Bowden Jr. in recent memory. Wan’Dale Robinson was a target monster in Liam Coen’s offense and helped pace a Kentucky team that would finish 10-3 and inside the AP Top 25.

3. Jensen Castle — Those followers for KSR Golf know I have a soft spot for the sport and Jensen Castle was a monster on the links. The winner of the U.S. Women’s Amateur also helped her country bring home the Curtis Cup. An outstanding season for the Kentucky golfer.

4. Bailey Zappe — After a disappointing year two, Tyson Helton revamped his offense by going all-in on the Air Raid with the offensive coordinator, quarterback, and top receiver from FCS Houston Baptist. Bailey Zappe turned that dice roll into a jackpot as the quarterback set the single-season records for passing yards and touchdown. Zappe might have been the most exciting player in college football.

5. Abby Steiner — Being a first-team All-American in two events is enough to get you on this list. Kentucky track and field had a star in Abby Steiner.

6. Sydney McLaughlin — Olympian with a world record. Not much else needs to be said.

7. Henry Davis — The Louisville catcher went No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft. You simply can’t do any better than that.

8. Dani Busboom Kelly — The ending was disappointing, but the Louisville volleyball head coach led her team to an undefeated regular season with a Final Four appearance. That’s hard to do.

9. Julius Randle — The Knicks are not playing good basketball right now, but Julius Randle led their resurgence as they were one of the best stories in the NBA for 2020-21. With a second-team All-NBA selection and Most Improved Player award, Randle deserved a spot.

10. Darian Kinnard — This was more of a career achievement for Darian Kinnard. Kentucky’s right tackle was an All-American and will go down as one of the best players in the Mark Stoops era. The former four-star recruit will be a top-50 selection at the NFL Draft and was borderline dominant for three years in a row playing on the Big Blue Wall.