Abbey Weitzeil Among Finalists For AAU Sullivan Award

Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

Cal senior Abbey Weitzeil has been named a finalist for the Sullivan Award presented each year to the top amateur athlete in the United States by the Amateur Athletic Union. Weitzeil is among ten finalists and you can vote here every day until March 30 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Swimmers Beata Nelson and Ryan Hoffer were semi-finalists but did not advance to the finals. The winner will be announced April 21.

Abbey Weitzeil, Cal

Abbey Weitzeil. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Weitzeil has proven herself to be the preeminent amateur sprint freestyler in the country, having broken the American record in the 50-yard free twice in 2019, winning four national titles at the 2019 NCAA Championships and earning 2019 Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year honors. Not only did she win all three of her individual races at the Pac-12 Championship meet – 50 free, 100 free, 200 free – but she also helped her Cal team to four relays to titles. As a result, she was named the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Meet.

At the NCAA Championships, she earned a national title in the 50 free when she was timed in 21.02 to lower the American record in the event. She also anchored three relays to national championships – 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 400 medley relay – while helping the 200 medley relay to a runner-up finish.

Weitzeil showed perseverance after hyper-extending an elbow on the final race of the third night of the meet when she hit the final wall hard at the finish of the 200 medley relay. After a visit to a local hospital, she wasn’t sure she would be able to compete due to the pain despite being cleared to swim. On the final day of the meet and with her arm heavily taped, she finished fourth in the 100 free and anchored the 400 free relay to a national title. The winning time broke the NCAA record in the event.

Weitzeil later won the 100-meter free at the Phillips 66 National Championships. For the 2019-20 collegiate season, she was named a captain of the Cal team. In the 50 free, she again lowered her American record in the event, this time to 20.90 to become the first woman ever to break the 21-second barrier at the Minnesota Invitational.

The full list of AAU Sullivan Award Finalists

Evita Griskenas, Rhythmic Gymnastics
Grant Holloway, Track & Field
Markus Howard, Basketball
Sabrina Ionescu, Basketball
Trevor Lawrence, Football
Spencer Lee, Wrestling
Dana Rettke, Volleyball
Kyla Ross, Gymnastics
Megan Taylor, Lacrosse
Abbey Weitzeil, Swimming

AAU Sullivan Award Winners (Swimming & Diving)

1944- Ann Curtis
1953- Sammy Lee
1956- Pat McCormick
1964- Don Schollander
1968- Debbie Meyer
1970- John Kinsella
1971- Mark Spitz
1975- Tim Shaw
1977- John Naber
1978- Tracy Caulkins
1984- Greg Louganis
1989- Janet Evans
2003- Michael Phelps
2006- Jessica Long
2012- Missy Franklin

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use