Courtesy: USAT

The Amateur Athletic Union has announced that U.S. elite triathlete Barb Lindquist of Victor, Idaho, has been named one of 12 finalists for the 74th Annual AAU James E Sullivan Memorial Award, which recognizes the top amateur athlete in the nation.

Lindquist finished the 2003 season ranked No. 1 in the world. She won 10 triathlons in 2003, including two International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup races, and finished on the podium in 13 out of 17 races. In August 2003, she was named a finalist for the Women's Sports Foundation's 2003 Sportswoman of the Year Award.

The other first-round finalists are: John Fonseca (Karate); Paul Hamm (Gymnastics); Lebron James (Basketball); Steven Lopez (Taekwondo); Chellsie Memmel (Gymnastics); Apolo Anton Ohno (Speed Skating); Michael Phelps (Swimming); Philippa "Phil" Raschker (Master Circuit - Track and Field); Diana Taurasi (Basketball); Rickie Weeks (Baseball); and Jason White (Football).

A 10-member AAU Sullivan Committee selected the 12 finalists after reviewing each of the athletes' qualifications from over 30 who were nominated. Ballots to select the top five and the 2003 winner were mailed Monday to an 800-member voting body consisting of AAU Board of Directors, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors, Select Media, and New York Athletic Club Select Members. The top five finalists and the National recipient will be formally recognized and announced April 13th, 2004 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.

"This is one of our most diverse and talented group of nominees ever," said AAU President Bobby Dodd. "Ten different sports are represented among the finalists and I'm very proud to be able to say that each athlete is an exceptional role model to not only their respective sport but our countries youth as well."

The AAU Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who have achieved athletic excellence, exhibit leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the AAU, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non- profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs for all ages. Our philosophy of "Sports for All, Forever," has been shared with over a million athletes and volunteers in the last two years alone. Divided into 58 associations, the AAU sanctions more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 10,000 local events across the United States annually. For more information on the AAU please visit our web site at www.aausports.org.