The top 10: Robinson prevails over McLaughlin, Stoops for Ky. Sports Figure of the Year

Mark Story
·8 min read
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The top 10 finishers in voting for the 2021 Lexington Herald-Leader Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year Award:

1. Wan’Dale Robinson

Did you know? In his 2021 season with Kentucky, Robinson’s receiving yardage (1,334) individually was 2 yards short of the entire UK team total (1,336) in 2020.

What the voters said: 1. “His only season in Lexington was a historic, record-setting one. … Robinson also was a force off the field, helping usher in the new name, image and likeness era in college athletics.” — Steve Moss, WKYT-TV, Lexington

2. “The guy is a game-changer. Best of luck on Sundays (in the NFL). It was a blast watching Number 1.” — Terry Meiners, WHAS-AM 840, Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: Wan’Dale Robinson is the fifth UK football player to be elected Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year, joining Tim Couch (1997), James Whalen Jr. (1999), Josh Allen (2018) and Lynn Bowden (2019).

Wan’Dale Robinson (1) had more receiving yards (1,334) in his one season at Kentucky in 2021 than he had combined in 2019 and 2020 (914) in his two seasons at Nebraska.
Wan’Dale Robinson (1) had more receiving yards (1,334) in his one season at Kentucky in 2021 than he had combined in 2019 and 2020 (914) in his two seasons at Nebraska.

2. Sydney McLaughlin

Did you know? Three years before she became an Olympic gold medalist and the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles in 2021, McLaughlin won one NCAA individual championship (outdoor 400-meter hurdles) and three SEC individual championships (indoor 400 meters; outdoor 400-meter hurdles, outdoor 4x400 relay) racing for the Kentucky Wildcats.

What the voters said: 1. “Sydney McLaughlin became an international phenomenon (in 2021) — which is why she hurdles to the top of my list.” — Dick Gabriel, WLAP-AM 630, Lexington

2. “Sydney is one of the most talented and talked about track athletes in the world, and may go down as one of the all-time greats once her career has concluded.” — Steve Cornelius, Commonwealth Journal, Somerset

Sports Figure factoid: McLaughlin’s second-place finish ties Tayshaun Prince (second in 2004) and Lamar Jackson (second in 2020) for the highest by a professional athlete who did not grow up in Kentucky.

Sydney McLaughlin of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal in world record time in the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Sydney McLaughlin of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal in world record time in the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

3. Mark Stoops

Did you know? After this past season’s 10-3 campaign, Mark Stoops has coached Kentucky to 47 wins (47-29) since the start of the 2016 season. The only SEC teams with more wins over the same time frame are Alabama (78-7), Georgia (66-15), LSU (53-23), Texas A&M (49-25) and Florida (48-27).

What the voters said: 1. “His steady and patient leadership continues to silently elevate UK football to levels not seen since the days of Bear Bryant.” — Rufus Friday, former Lexington Herald-Leader publisher

2. “Mark Stoops is leading the University of Kentucky to heights I would have forever bet against happening. Taking over a program a decade ago that was near its lowest point and bringing it to its highest point is beyond belief.” — Eric Chumbler, WPAD-FM 99.5, Paducah

Sports Figure factoid: Mark Stoops has now finished in the top 10 in voting four times — 2016 (seventh); 2018 (fourth); 2019 (eighth); and 2021 (third).

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops celebrates with his team and the Governors Cup trophy after their 52-21 defeat of Louisville at Cardinal Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops celebrates with his team and the Governors Cup trophy after their 52-21 defeat of Louisville at Cardinal Stadium on Nov. 27, 2021.

4. Madison Lilley

Did you know? After directing UK to the women’s volleyball national championship in last year’s spring season, Lilley left Kentucky (which went 104-17 in her four seasons as a Cat) considered one of the best setters in NCAA history.

What the voters said: 1. “The best player in the history of Kentucky volleyball led UK to its first-ever national championship, earning tourney MVP and national player of the year honors along the way.” — Darrell Bird, The Cats’ Pause

2. “(Lilley) had the equivalent of a Heisman Trophy-winning season on the way to helping lead her team to the national championship. She then won every postseason award imaginable.” — Keith Farmer, WLEX-TV, Lexington

Kentucky star setter Madison Lilley carried the NCAA championship trophy when the Wildcats returned to Lexington.
Kentucky star setter Madison Lilley carried the NCAA championship trophy when the Wildcats returned to Lexington.

5. Lee Kiefer

Did you know? In the run-up to what became an Olympic gold medal-winning performance in Tokyo, foil fencer Kiefer and her husband, fellow Team USA fencer Gerek Meinhardt, trained here in Lexington on a strip built in the basement of the home of Kiefer’s parents.

What the voters said: 1. “(Kiefer faced) the pressure of becoming the first American (woman) to win the gold in (foil) fencing, plus she’s from Lexington, and a great young lady. For me, that’s like winning the Triple Crown.” — Alan Cutler, WLEX-TV, Lexington, retired

2. “(Kiefer is) a terrific ambassador for her sport and our state. To persevere through the adversity of COVID protocols and come back to compete in another Olympics and take the gold medal is just an inspirational and historic story.” — Larry Vaught, VaughtsViews.com, Danville

Sports Figure factoid: Previously, Kiefer’s highest finish in the voting was 16th in 2017.

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School graduate and University of Kentucky College of Medicine student Lee Kiefer celebrated after winning an Olympic gold medal last summer in Tokyo in women’s individual foil fencing.
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School graduate and University of Kentucky College of Medicine student Lee Kiefer celebrated after winning an Olympic gold medal last summer in Tokyo in women’s individual foil fencing.

6. Craig Skinner

Did you know? When Skinner coached Kentucky to the NCAA women’s volleyball championship during the spring 2021 season, it was more than the first title won by a SEC program. It also made UK only the second school in the Eastern Time Zone (Penn State is the other) to win it all in women’s volleyball.

What the voters said: 1. “UK volleyball reached the top of the mountain to win the national title. Skinner’s team was simply dominant, led by National Player of the Year Madison Lilley and countless All-Americans.” — Dominique Yates, WLKY-TV, Louisville

2. “(Skinner) made Kentucky relevant in volleyball and did so by basically building the program from scratch.” — Keith Taylor, KentuckyToday.com

Sports figure factoid: Skinner’s sixth-place finish is only the second top 10 by a college volleyball coach. In 1987, then-UK coach Kathy DeBoer finished fourth.

Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner celebrates after his team won the outright SEC championship for the fall with a three-set win against No. 20 Florida on Nov. 27, 2021.
Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner celebrates after his team won the outright SEC championship for the fall with a three-set win against No. 20 Florida on Nov. 27, 2021.

7. Desmond Ridder

Did you know? The St. Xavier High School graduate, who quarterbacked Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff for the 2021 season, finished his college career with a 44-6 record as a starter and never lost a home game (26-0) as UC’s starting QB.

What the voters said: 1. “A Group of Five team had never reached the College Football Playoff, but St. X product Desmond Ridder … led the Bearcats to new heights with a perfect regular season and an appearance in the playoff.” — Hayes Gardner, Courier Journal, Louisville

2. “He’s come a long way from committing to UC inside a Churchill Downs infield port-a-potty. Led UC to an undefeated regular season, number four ranking and a spot in the College Football (Playoff) semifinals. The St. X grad beat all expectations.” — Mark Blankenbaker, WHBE-AM 680, The CrunchZone.com, Louisville

Sports Figure factoid: Before Ridder, the most recent product of Kentucky high school football to finish in the top 10 while playing for an out-of-state university was former Trinity star Rondale Moore, who finished eighth in 2018 after a stellar freshman season at Purdue.

Former St. Xavier High School quarterback Desmond Ridder led the Cincinnati Bearcats to a berth in the College Football Playoff for the 2021 season.
Former St. Xavier High School quarterback Desmond Ridder led the Cincinnati Bearcats to a berth in the College Football Playoff for the 2021 season.

8. Jim Matney

Did you know? Before the longtime Johnson Central football coach, 62, died Sept. 28 of last year after contracting COVID-19 and suffering a stroke, Matney went 186-39 in 18 seasons with two Class 4A state championships with the Golden Eagles. Overall, he finished 309-133 as a high school head football coach.

What the voters said: 1. “Watching teams across the Bluegrass pay tribute to Matney (by turning on their football-field lights to honor him after his death) was a testament to his impact on Kentucky high school football and the mountain spirit.” — Tyler Thompson, Kentucky Sports Radio

2. “Quite simply, Coach Matney was a sports figure of a lifetime cut far too short. His teams reached state finals in six of the last seven years, winning two. It’s a legacy that won’t be forgotten.” — Jared Peck, Lexington Herald-Leader

Sports Figure factoid: Matney is the 11th high school football coach to finish in the top 10 in the 41-year history of the award.

Johnson Central’s Jim Matney was voted the 2021 Courier Journal Kentucky high school football Coach of the Year. Matney, 62, died in September after contracting COVID-19.
Johnson Central’s Jim Matney was voted the 2021 Courier Journal Kentucky high school football Coach of the Year. Matney, 62, died in September after contracting COVID-19.

9. Bailey Zappe

Did you know? The Western Kentucky quarterback set FBS single-season records for passing yards (5,957) and passing touchdowns (62) in 2021.

What the voters said: 1. “(Zappe) put up video game-like numbers making WKU’s offense a must see event.” — Michael Compton, Bowling Green Daily News

2. “Two years ago, many of us sat and watched in awe as Joe Burrow shattered (passing) records left and right, wondering if they ever could be beaten. Zappe not only beat them, but beat them in (spite of playing one fewer game).” — Sam Gormley, WMTH-AM 870, WKHG-FM 104.9, Leitchfield

Sports Figure factoid: Zappe is the first WKU football player to finish in the top 10 since quarterback Brandon Doughty finished third in 2015 and fifth in 2014.

Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for FBS single-season records in passing yards (5,967) and touchdown throws (62) in 2021.
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for FBS single-season records in passing yards (5,967) and touchdown throws (62) in 2021.

10. Adam Duvall

Did you know? Duvall, a Butler High School and University of Louisville product, did more than help Atlanta win the 2021 World Series. In a season split between the Miami Marlins and the Braves, Duvall led the National League in RBI (113) and was second in home runs (38).

What the voters said: 1. “(Atlanta) reacquired him (from Miami) at the trade deadline, and he helped the Braves to a World Series championship. Talk about taking advantage of a break. He made the most of it.”— Ed Peak, freelance sportswriter, Louisville

2. “(Duvall) not only put up big power numbers in the regular season and postseason, but also brought home a Gold Glove for his work in the outfield.” — Nick Curran, Louisville Bats radio play-by-play announcer

Sports Figure factoid: Duvall also finished 10th in voting in 2016.

Atlanta’s Adam Duvall celebrated after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Braves. Atlanta won the World Series four games to two.
Atlanta’s Adam Duvall celebrated after hitting a grand slam during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Braves. Atlanta won the World Series four games to two.