Gardner Minshew may have fallen short of the Heisman award last month, but the quarterback is still in the running for another award on a local level.

The 84th annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year awards announced their nominees earlier this week. The awards, created by sportswriter Royal Bougham in 1938, recognizes athletic achievements across the state of Washington. This year, Minshew, along with WSU soccer player Morgan Weaver, were among the nominees.

If you’re reading this, you probably know the legend of Gardner Minshew in Pullman, but you might have missed Weaver’s incredible season at Lower Soccer Field. The junior was the offensive leader for WSU, scoring a career-best 13 goals and leading the resurgent Cougs to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. The season was good enough for All-Pacific Region and All-Pac-12 team honors.

The competition won’t easy for either side, facing off with some of the best college and professional athletes from across the state. The nominees on the male side include: Ben Burr-Kirven (UW football), Mitch Haniger (Mariners), Tyler Lockett (Seahawks), Phil Mach (Seawolves rugby), Minshew (WSU football), and Brian Schmetzer (Sounders). Meanwhile, over on the female side, the nominees are: Devon Adelman (Special Olympics), Sis Bates (UW softball), Alexis Montgomery (Seattle U basketball), Breanna Stewart (Storm), Jodie Taylor (Reign FC), Morgan Weaver (WSU soccer).

The event will take place on February 7th in Seattle. But in the meantime, you can have an impact on who takes home the gold on the big night. Fans can vote on those two awards, along with a third category unrelated to WSU, at the link here.

Football

Washington State’s Mike Leach named AFCA Coach of the Year after leading Cougars to historic season | The Spokesman-Review
The Cougars finished with an 11-2 record under the seventh-year coach and capped the winningest season in school history with a 28-26 win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl. That catapulted WSU to No. 10 in the final edition of both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls.

Way too early 2019 preseason Pacific Takes Top 25: Washington Huskies start out in Top 10 - Pacific Takes
The Cougars are now a team you have to give the benefit of the doubt and rank until proven otherwise.

Klay Thompson

Warriors ride Klay Thompson 43-point gem to rout of Knicks - SFGate
"Klay’s been doing this for a long time," Kerr said of Thompson, who is shooting a career-worst 35.6 percent from three-point range this season. "I absolutely expect him to break through, and tonight was a night where he did so."

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Klay Thompson stated that he likes his life, his dog and food. He also commented on his hobbies, which include movies and video games.

Warriors ride Klay Thompson 43-point gem to rout of Knicks - SFGate
"Klay’s been doing this for a long time," Kerr said of Thompson, who is shooting a career-worst 35.6 percent from three-point range this season. "I absolutely expect him to break through, and tonight was a night where he did so."