The Amateur Athletic Union has named Olympian Jason Read one of six finalists for the 2012 Annual Sullivan Award.
The award, which has been presented annually since 1930, honors an amateur athlete who throughout his lifetime has demonstrated character, leadership and sportsmanship. Read, an emergency medical technician from Ringoes, N.J., a member of 13 United States national rowing teams and an Olympic gold medalist in 2004, was recognized for his accomplishments in rowing but also for his participation in the rescue efforts in New York City following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Last October, Read won gold in the eight and finished fifth in the four at the 2011 Pan American Games.
"I am extremely proud of the 2011 slate of nominees for the highest honor the AAU bestows—The AAU James E. Sullivan Award," said Louis Stout, President of the AAU in a press release Wednesday. "These young women and men are the best and the brightest among the hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes who are pursuing their dreams. Not just on the court, the field, the ice, the water or in the gym, these outstanding athletes demonstrate character and leadership in their communities as well. I look forward to meeting them all next week and congratulating them on their achievements."
In addition to Read, five other American amateur athletes were named finalists including: Jillian Camarena, 2011 world championship bronze medalist and the first American woman to win a medal in shot putt at the world championships; University of Southern California women's volleyball player Alex Jupiter, the AVCA National Player of the Year; Speedskater Katherine Reutter, the 2011 world champion in the 1,500 event and the first American woman to win an individual and overall World Cup title and a silver and bronze medalist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; Army linebacker Andrew Rodriquez, who after missing the 2010 season with an injury, returned as a captain and recorded 140 tackles in 23 games; and gymnast Jordan Wieber, who helped lead the U.S. to the team gold at the 2011 world championships and also captured the 2011 American Cup and Visa Championships.
The finalists were selected from personal nominations following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee. The winner has been determined through voting by select members of the media, previous winners and AAU staff. The public was also allowed input through nationwide polling on the USA Today website. The winner will be honored at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, March 20 at the New York Athletic Club.