Below are the 2021 Honorary ESPY winners, as nominated and voted by Sports Radio 810 listeners!
Humanitarian Hometown Hero Award, Presented by Joslin’s Jewelry – Travis Kelce
Female High School Athlete of the Year (MO) Presented by, Sharewaves – Addison Beagle
Beagle helped lead Liberty North to the Class 5 state volleyball title. The junior was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri in 2020-21.
KC Metro Coach of the Year Presented by, Bob Hamilton Plumbing Heating AC Rooter and Electrical – Katie Dowden
Dowden led the Liberty North Eagles to an undefeated season and state title in Missouri Class 5 at 24-0.
Male KC Metro School/Team of the Year, Presented by Hen House – Raymore-Peculiar Football
A year after losing to DeSmet in the semifinals, the Panthers returned under first-year head coach Sean Martin and blanked DeSmet, 23-0, in the championship game to win the Missouri Class 6 football title.
Can’t Stop Watching Play/Moment, Presented by Xfinity Mobile – Tyreek Hill vs. Tampa Bay
Tyreek Hill went ballistic against Tampa Bay in the November matchup of the eventual Super Bowl foes. Hill racked up 203 receiving yards in the first quarter, including touchdowns of 75 and 44 yards.
Kansas City Medical Professional of the Year, Presented by Krucial Staffing – Morgan Fellers
Morgan is an ICU nurse in the Saint Luke’s Health Center. Morgan’s position has been vital in the battle against COVID-19 and she has worked incredible hard in this past year to heal our community.
Kansas City Fan of the Year, Presented by The Kansas City Steak Company – Superfan Chris Coats
This Royals superfan has attended 1,000+ Royals home games and hasn’t missed a game that he was able to attend. He also attended every Chiefs game that allowed fans last year.
Champions Leadership Award, Presented by Silverstein Eye Centers – Kenneth Lenger
Kenneth Lenger Led Liberty High School to second straight wrestling title, getting a gold himself. Also leading the cross-country team to third place at state.
Female College Athlete of the Year, Presented by Krucial Staffing – Caroline Crawford
The Lansing grad earned all-Big 12 first team and all-Big 12 Rookie team honors as just a freshman at Kansas. Crawford was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Week three times, and earned a spot on the USA Volleyball U20 National Training Team
Perseverance Award, Presented by Ryan Lawn & Tree – Wentric Williams III
Williams III lost his father, Wentric Williams II, who died suddenly from an aneurysm on Sept 26, 2020. Williams III – the oldest of six siblings – rushed for 249 rushing yards and 4 TDs the following weekend to lead Liberty to a win at Rock Bridge. He also helped the Blue Jays get the state wrestling title as the Missouri Class 4 state champion in the 182 class.
Male High School Athlete of the Year (KS), Presented by 23rd Street Brewery – DJ White
White was the leading scorer for the St. Thomas Aquinas state soccer championship team, earning first-team all-state honors as well. White will play for Coastal Carolina next year.
Male College Athlete of the Year, Presented by Walker Medical Linen – KC Lightfoot
The Lee’s Summit grad set the NCAA indoor pole vault record at 5.94 meters, then the Baylor junior finished in the top three at the U.S. Olympic trials to make Team USA and compete in the Olympics in Tokyo.
Female KC Metro School/Team of the Year, Presented by Hen House – Liberty North Volleyball
Liberty North Eagles finished undefeated in Missouri Class 5 at 24-0. These victories led them to winning the Class 5 state title as well.
Clutch Performance Award, Presented by Metcalf CARSTAR – Jordan Weber
The Mizzou pitcher fired a no-hitter over Iowa State in the NCAA Regional, to send the Tigers to Super Regional vs James Madison. The Lee’s Summit West grad won 12 games with a 2.82 ERA for Mizzou in 2021.
Male High School Athlete of the Year (MO), Presented by Wholesale Batteries – Ethan Lee
The Liberty North junior brought home four golds at Missouri Class 5 state track meet, finishing first in the 800, 1600 as well as with the 4×400 and 4×800 relay
Female High School Athlete of the Year (KS), Presented by One Request – Grace O’Keefe
O’Keefe was named the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, helping St. Thomas Aquinas to the Kansas Class 5A state title. O’Keefe will play for Missouri State.