By Troy MacNeill
AAU

NEW YORK (February 24, 2026) – Voting to decide the winner of the 96th AAU Sullivan Award is open. Finalists include the nation’s best Olympic and collegiate athletes from the past year across all sports. This year’s finalist showcase national champions, Olympic medalists, and record holders. 

Five American wrestlers have received the award: Distinguished Members Bruce Baumgartner in 1995, Rulon Gardner in 2000 and John Smith in 1991, three-time NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist and two-time world champion Kyle Snyder in 2017, and three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee in 2019.

The athletes (listed alphabetically by last name) announced as finalists are: 

• Olivia Babcock, Volleyball, University of Pittsburgh 

• Cameron Boozer, Basketball, Duke University 

• Evan Bates & Madison Chock, Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating 

• Azzi Fudd, Basketball, University of Connecticut 

• Hannah Hidalgo, Basketball, University of Notre Dame 

• Blake Horvath, Football, United States Naval Academy 

• Erin Jackson, Speed Skating, U.S. Speedskating 

• Grace Lau, Karate, Hong Kong Karate 

• Alysa Liu, Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating 

• Jeremiyah Love, Football, University of Notre Dame 

• Ilona Maher, Rugby, USA Rugby 

• Ilia Malinin, Figure Skating, U.S. Figure Skating 

• Tatyana McFadden, Para Track & Field, USA Track & Field 

• Fernando Mendoza, Football, Indiana University

• Mikaela Shiffrin, Alpine Skiing, U.S. Ski & Snowboard 

• Braden Smith, Basketball, Purdue University 

• Zahid Valencia, Wrestling, USA Wrestling 

Since 1930, the AAU Sullivan Award has been annually presented to highlight the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate, Olympic, or other similar elite level in the United States. In addition to athletic excellence, the award recognizes the strong qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship the chosen athlete holds on and off the playing field. 

The one-week voting period opens to the public February 24 and closes on Thursday, March 5, 2026. 

The public voting period is open: VOTE HERE 

“This year’s finalist class is truly one of the best group of athletes we have seen,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “They are standouts in their respective sports, they showcase great sportsmanship, and make a quality addition to the legacy of the AAU Sullivan Award.” 

The winner of the 96th AAU Sullivan Award will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the historic New York Athletic Club.