From ZaKiyah Johnson to Trent Noah, what KY Sports Figure voters said about finishers 11-25
READ MORE
2024 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year
The Lexington Herald-Leader revealed the winner of its 44th annual Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year award on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. Click below to read more about the winner of the 2024 honor, view the complete voting totals and see reaction from the media members who contributed to the balloting.
Expand All
Watch: Lexington Herald-Leader reveals 2024 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year award winner
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is the 2024 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year
Top 10: Nick Mingione edges Travis Perry for second in Kentucky Sports Figure award voting
See all 80 people, 3 horses who received votes for 2024 Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year
From ZaKiyah Johnson to Trent Noah, what KY Sports Figure voters said about finishers 11-25
What media members who cast votes for the 2024 Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award said about those who finished 11 through 25:
11. ZaKiyah Johnson
2024 claim to fame: The Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball star led her team to its fourth straight state title and was named Sweet 16 MVP and Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year for the third straight year each.
What the voters said: “(Johnson) has already solidified herself among the greatest Kentucky girls high school basketball players ever — if not the greatest.” — Jared Peck, Lexington Herald-Leader
“One of the best players ever in this state. Has an ultra amount of skills.” — Ed Peak, freelance sportswriter, Louisville
“I think ZaKiyah will go down as the greatest women’s basketball product to ever come out of the state. It’ll be interesting to see if LSU and Kim Mulkey (with whom Johnson has signed) fit her personality and game long term. — Louis Rabaut, WHBE-AM 680, Louisville
12. Chad Pennington
2024 claim to fame: The former Marshall University and NFL quarterback coached a Sayre High School football program he started from scratch in 2018 to a 15-0 record and Class A state title, the first team state title in any sport in school history.
What the voters said: “Took tiny, little Sayre to the mountain top in just six short years.” — Rufus Friday, formerly of the Lexington Herald-Leader
“Truly remarkable what he has built at the grassroots level, far from the spotlight he earned in his playing career. That to me is the impressive thing — his legacy is already secure. But he has poured into Sayre’s program and his players’ lives, he conducts himself with class, and he’s also really good, obviously, at the football and the coaching parts of it.” — Zack Klemme, The Herald-Dispatch, Huntington, W.Va.
“I understand that Sayre (football) has had incredible booster support since its 2018 inception, but to lead a program to an undefeated season and state title less than a decade after creation? Positively ridiculous.” — Edward Marlowe, WKDZ-FM 106.5, Cadiz, YourSportsEdge.com
13. Anna DeBeer
2024 claim to fame: The Louisville Cardinals volleyball star outside hitter was named AVCA Second-Team All-America and led U of L (30-6) to the NCAA Tournament championship match — in which she did not get to play in the Cardinals’ loss to Penn State due to an injury suffered in the national semifinals.
What the voters said: “A shame she couldn’t play in the NCAA championship final. DeBeer and her Cardinals were integral to what was probably the most exciting sporting event to which I’ve ever been party. It was certainly the loudest.” — Josh Moore, freelance sportswriter, Lexington
“Perhaps no more dramatic story played out over the course of the year than the quest for U of L volleyball to make a Final Four in its hometown. Anna DeBeer, as the team’s best player and hometown product, embodied the pressure to win and exuberance of earning a trip to the Final Four in her hometown. Then, when she got hurt and couldn’t play in the national title game, it was gut-wrenching for an entire city. Capped an incredible career with helping the team to a second national title game.” — Nick Curran, Louisville Bats and Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer
14. Masai Russell
2024 claim to fame: The former Kentucky Wildcats track star won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
What the voters said: “This was supposed to be her ‘get-to-know-the-Olympics trip.’ Instead, the world had the chance ‘to get to know’ Masai.” — Keith Farmer, WLEX-TV, Lexington
“Have you heard? UK is a track and field school now. Another gold medal winner (Russell) in my top 10.” — Shawn Seay, WLXG-AM 1300, FM 92.5, Lexington
Russell’s “record-breaking achievements in track and field, ... highlight her dominance as a standout athlete.” — Chris Beasmore, WTVQ-TV, Lexington
15. Donna Moir
2024 claim to fame: She coached Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball (31-7) to the state title for the fourth year in a row, an unprecedented feat in Kentucky high school basketball, girls or boys. It was Moir’s seventh state title overall as SHA head coach.
What the voters said: Moir “made amazing history in prep basketball.” — Fred Cowgill, formerly of WLKY-TV, Louisville
Moir has “been blessed with very good players (and coached at a private school). She’d be the first to tell you she’s had fantastic talent to coach, and she would give credit to her players and staff. However, there’s a skill she has in building a program, developing talent, formulating a competitive schedule, and having her teams in top form at tournament time — often times as the favorite with all the pressure.” — Joel Bennett, WWKY-AM 990, FM 102.9, Winchester
“Any way you cut it, what Moir has done is remarkable.” — Dennis George, Central Kentucky News Journal, Campbellsville
16. Brian Hernandez Jr.
2024 claim to fame: The Kentucky-based jockey rode 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna to six wins in seven races, including victories in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Kentucky Oaks. Rode Mystik Dan to a Kentucky Derby win and a second-place finish in the in Preakness.
What the voters said: “Hernandez placed himself among an elite class of jockeys, being only the eighth jockey to win both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby (in the same year). A childhood dream for Hernandez Jr. came true.” — Beau Robinson, WLAP-AM 630, Lexington
“Just a dream year for the jockey.” — Chuck Hamilton, The Ledger Independent, Maysville
17. Jack James
2024 claim to fame: As a football quarterback, “The Bazooka from Paducah” threw for 4,133 yards and 57 touchdowns and led Paducah Tilghman (15-0) to Class 4A state title. In wrestling, James won an individual state title at 215 pounds.
What the voters said: “A championship in the ultimate team sport and a championship in one of the most difficult individual sports. Impressive.” — Vinny Hardy, “Cats Talk Wednesday,” “Bleav in Kentucky” podcasts
James “ended his high school (football) career with a 4A state title and achieved many personal and statewide records.” — Jared Jensen, The Paducah Sun
“Jack is the result of his talent, the Tilghman system and dudes who can catch and run. His numbers were eye-opening and helped Tilghman to the state title.” — Scott Brown, WKDZ-FM, 106.5, Cadiz
18. Mark Pope
2024 claim to fame: He energized the Big Blue Nation after being hired as University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach on April 12. UK alum coached BYU to 23-11 record and berth in NCAA Tournament in 2023-24.
What the voters said: “Nobody outside of Mitch Barnhart wanted Mark Pope to replace John Calipari as UK head coach, but the former “Untouchable” quickly won over a fractured fan base with uncommon grace and class. What other sports figure could pack a 20,000-seat arena for an introductory press conference? He was the story of the year in Kentucky.” — Mark Sonka, formerly of the Lexington Herald-Leader
“I know Pope’s season at BYU isn’t enough to warrant his place on this list, but the social impact of his return to Kentucky certainly does. His introductory press conference was a moment in Kentucky sports history that won’t ever be forgotten, a Big Blue revival.” — Jesse Riffe, WLEX-TV, Lexington
“2024 was the year ‘The Captain’ came home. Mark Pope’s introduction (or rather, reintroduction) to Big Blue Nation came in the form of a sold-out press conference that will go down in Kentucky basketball history. Those outside Kentucky can’t believe it; those who were there will never forget it. 20,000 people is a massive number, and yet April 14, 2024, somehow felt even bigger than that.” — Maggie Davis, WLEX-TV, Lexington
.JPG "LEX_20240414_CoachPope_1557 (1).JPG")
19. Brooklyn DeLeye
2024 claim to fame: As a sophomore, the Kentucky volleyball outside hitter was named AVCA First-Team All-America and was one of four finalists for AVCA National Player of the Year. Helped UK (23-8) win SEC title for eighth straight year and reach NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
What the voters said: “A dominant young star that has shown she is the best on the floor no matter the age of the people she is going up against. She has won major honors and is still an underclassmen.” — Colby Wilson, WDKY-TV, Lexington
DeLeye “is a fantastic player.” — Chuck Hamilton, The Ledger Independent, Maysville
20. Will Smith
2024 claim to fame: The former Kentucky Country Day and Louisville Cardinals standout was the starting catcher and hit 20 home runs with 75 RBI for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
What the voters said: “Helped lead the Dodgers to their first full-season World Series (since 1988) as part of a thrilling postseason. Was an All-Star for the second straight year and earned a 10-year, $140 million extension from the Dodgers.” — Nick Curran, Louisville Bats and Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer
Smith ”is the quiet star of the world champs.” — Ron Bailey, The Ledger Independent, Maysville
“One of the unsung heroes in a clubhouse full of superstars.” — Michael Compton, Bowling Green Daily News
21. Jeff Brohm
2024 claim to fame: He coached the Louisville Cardinals football team to a 9-4 record, a 35-34 victory against Washington in the Sun Bowl and U of L’s first Governor’s Cup rivalry win over Kentucky since 2017.
What the voters said: “In a rivalry dominated by Kentucky as of late, Louisville snatched the Governor’s Cup right back and Brohm had a lot to do with it. The Louisville native and former U of L quarterback came back home to bring life into his program, and has done just that with a couple strong seasons in the ACC.” — Michael Epps, WDKY-TV, Lexington
“Jeff has turned the Louisville program around sooner rather than later.” — Keith Taylor, Kentucky Today
22. Montavin Quisenberry
2024 claim to fame: The Boyle County High School multipurpose football star was named Kentucky Mr. Football, Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year and won the Paul Hornung Award.
What the voters said: “Montavin Quisenberry was the best player on the field every game and didn’t need to even play a full four quarters to prove it. According to Boyle County Coach Justin Haddix, Quisenberry played a full, four-quarter game just eight times out of his 43 total games at Boyle. Imagine what his stats would be without all the running clocks! “ — Joe Mathis, WHIR-AM 1230, Danville
“Quisenberry quite simply was the most electrifying high school football player on the field every Friday night. He helped the Rebels win two of their four straight Class 4A titles and dazzled fans on the regular with spectacular, seemingly impossible plays. He impacted the game in every way possible as a primary threat on offense, defense and special teams.” — Jared Peck, Lexington Herald-Leader
23. Juli Fulks
2024 claim to fame: She coached Transylvania women’s basketball team (31-1) to the NCAA Division III Tournament Final Four for the second straight year. Led Pioneers to a multi-year, 64-game win streak that was snapped in the Final Four.
What the voters said: “When you win 64 straight games, you’re doing something right. It doesn’t matter if you’re coaching the Boston Celtics or 5-year-olds at the local church league. The run that Fulks and the Pioneers went on just doesn’t happen in sports. It’s just a shame it didn’t end with another title.” — Sam Gormley, WKHG-FM 104.9, WMTL-AM 870, Leitchfield
24. Thorpedo Anna
2024 claim to fame: Bred in Kentucky by Judy Hicks, the filly won six of seven races in 2024 in her 3-year-old campaign, including wins in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and the Kentucky Oaks. She finished second in the Travers Stakes versus males. (She was named 2024 Horse of the Year, but that honor came after Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award voting had been completed.)
What the voters said: “Amazing accomplishments for the equine athlete nicknamed ‘The Grizzly.’ Thorpedo Anna was a tough competitor against both males and females. Outstanding teamwork by trainer Kenny McPeek, jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., breeder Judy Hicks and her supportive owners.” — Anne Eberhardt Keogh, BloodHorse
“Thorpedo Anna was the best filly of them all this year. The Kentucky-bred horse ran brilliantly in the Kentucky Oaks … and kept it going all the way to November at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff win.” — Michael Epps, WDKY-TV, Lexington
25. Trent Noah
2024 claim to fame: The Harlan County High School boys basketball star led the Black Bears to the Sweet 16 finals while averaging 29.9 points and 10.4 rebounds a game for the season.
What the voters said: “Amazing career and Sweet 16 run.” — Vinny Hardy, “Cats Talk Wednesday,” “Bleav in Kentucky” podcasts
“Noah is a legend in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. He put Harlan County on the map, and had one of the greatest Sweet 16 tournaments in history.” — Wes Chandler, Eastern Kentucky University radio network
Noah “and (Travis) Perry will forever be linked after that Lyon County-Harlan County (state tournament) final. Decommitting from South Carolina and coming to UK to join Perry and Mark Pope could help cement his legacy.” — Brad Munson, WKYX-FM 94.3, Paducah
▪ Below are comments about those who received first-place votes but finished outside the top 25:
Devin Booker
2024 claim to fame: The former UK men’s basketball guard earned an Olympic gold medal playing a key role — 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists — for Team USA. With the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, Booker averaged 27.1 points and was voted third-team All-NBA.
What the voters said: “A big-time guy in a big-time league.” — Dan Weber, Northern Kentucky Tribune
Ryan Perry
2024 claim to fame: He coached Lyon County boys basketball (36-3) to the Kentucky state championship, the first Sweet 16 title by a Class A-sized school since 2010.
What the voters said: “He has had a run at Lyon County that will never be matched ever again.” — Trevor Rice, WTTL-FM 104.9, Madisonville
Pat Kelsey
2024 claim to fame: Reinvigorated a dispirited Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball fan base after being hired as U of L’s new coach on March 28.
What the voters said: “Completely flipped the narrative around U of L men’s basketball by simply knocking the offseason out of the park. From being incredibly personable at an introductory press conference to rebuilding the entire roster, brought hope and optimism back to a program that had won 12 games the previous two seasons.” — Nick Curran, Louisville Bats and Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball radio play-by-play announcer
This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 9:23 AM.
