The ballot for the 37th annual Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year has been released, and it includes several standouts from western Kentucky and last year’s winner, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Former Caldwell County standouts Elijah Sindelar and Emma Talley both appear on the ballot for their exploits in 2017. Sindelar quarterbacked Purdue to the Foster Farm Bowls championship, winning offensive MVP (396 yards passing, four TDs). For the season, the Boilermaker sophomore threw for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Talley earned her LPGA Tour card by finishing ninth on the Symetra Tour money list and notched her first pro win at the Island Resort in Michigan.
Also on the ballot are:
• Union County wrestler Bryce Sheffer, who won his fourth straight individual state title and had an undefeated season (55-0) at 138 pounds, helping the Braves win their second straight team state title.
• Madisonville Miss Softball Kaylee Tow, who batted .618 with a state record 24 home runs in helping the Lady Maroons win the state title.
• Doug Preston, who coached Franklin-Simpson to the Class 4A state football title, the school’s first state title since 1980.
• Caldwell County alum D.G. Sherrill, who coached Bowling Green to the Sweet Sixteen championship.
Also on the list is Eastern Kentucky University first baseman Ben Fisher, who played for the Hoptown Hoppers in 2014. Fisher hit .363 for the Colonels in 2017 with 25 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Athletes and coaches from the state’s universities are also on the ballot, which was distributed Thursday to members of the state media to vote.
The winner will be announced Feb. 7 at the seventh annual Bluegrass Sports Awards Banquet in Lexington.
