On Wednesday, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced its finalists for the 2018 Cleveland Sports Awards, which will take place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom in Downtown Cleveland on Jan. 17.
In November, it was announced that former Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas would be honored with the lifetime achievement award. In total, 19 athletes will be presented awards at the annual fundraiser, including winners from the following categories:
Male High School Athlete of the Year presented by University Hospitals Sports Medicine
Joey Baughman, Football, Wadsworth High School, Wadsworth
Ronald Lee, Football, Euclid High School, Euclid
Tyreke Smith, Football, Cleveland Heights High School, Cleveland Heights
Female High School Athlete of the Year presented by University Hospitals Sports Medicine
Naz Hillmon, Basketball, Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills
Olivia Howell, Cross Country/Track & Field, Solon High School, Solon
Shannon Williams, Volleyball, Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, Broadview Heights
Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year
Reggie Jagers III, Track & Field, Kent State University, Solon
Travis Tarnowski, Football, Ashland University, North Royalton
University of Mount Union Football Team, Football, University of Mount Union, Alliance
Denzel Ward, Football, The Ohio State University, Nordonia
Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year
Kelsey Bittinger, Volleyball, Kent State University, Strongsville
Marisa Rinaldi, Track & Field, University of Mount Union, Tallmadge
Hallie Thome, Basketball, University of Michigan, Chagrin Falls
Professional Athlete of the Year presented by FOX Sports Ohio
LeBron James, NBA, forward, Cleveland Cavaliers
Corey Kluber, MLB, pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Jose Ramirez, MLB, second baseman, Cleveland Indians
Joe Thomas, NFL, offensive lineman, Cleveland Browns
Additionally, Samer Babi will be honored with the Courage Award presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Health while the 'Best Moment' presented by JACK Casino Cleveland will be announced at the event. For more information about the 18th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, presented by Medical Mutual and Huntington Bank, you can visit clevelandsportsawards.com.
