The Star Tribune's Minnesota Sportsperson of the Year, which is selected by our sports staff after careful deliberation and (sometimes) heated disagreement, will be announced on Christmas Day.
Who is your Minnesota Sportsperson of the Year? Vote in our poll
We're giving you 14 candidates for the first round of voting in our fans' Minnesota Sportsperson of the Year poll. Can you get your favorite into the final vote?
December 18, 2017 at 7:12PM
This year, we're adding a new and separate honor, asking you to vote for your Sportsperson of the Year. We've asked for your suggestions through social media and put together a first ballot of 14 candidates from A (Adam Thielen) to Z (Jason Zucker).
The first round of voting includes coaches, pro athletes, teams and amateurs representing the top athletic achievements by Minnesotans in 2017.
The top vote-getters will be on a final ballot that will be posted on startribune.com during Christmas week.
Who's on the ballot?
Adam Thielen: Vikings' wide receiver who is having a breakout season.
Brian Dozier: Twins' team MVP and Glove Glove-winning second baseman.
Caledonia High School football team: Three-time Class 2A champs and holders of a 41-game winning streak.
Case Keenum: Vikings' quarterback who stepped in for Sam Bradford.
Cheryl Reeve: Head coach of the WNBA champion Lynx.
Gabriele Grunewald: Professional distance runner, Gophers alumnus and cancer survivor.
Jason Zucker: Wild leading goal scorer this season and NHL co-plus/minus leader in 2016-17.
Jordan Murphy: Gophers basketball leading scorer and rebounder.
Lynx starting five: WNBA champs for the fourth time in seven years.
Mike Zimmer: Vikings head coach.
North High boys' basketball team: 1A state champ, winner of three tournament games by 138 points.
Paul Molitor: American League manager of the year.
Sara Groenewegen: All-America softball pitcher who led Gophers to NCAA superregional.
Sylvia Fowles: WNBA regular season and finals MVP.
about the writer
Minnesota built a 21-0 lead and held off a brief surge by the Badgers to finish the regular season at 7-5. Wisconsin fell to 5-7, ending its 22-year streak of gaining bowl eligibility.
