Two decorated Linfield student-athletes are finalists for the Ad  Rutschman Small College Male Athlete of the Year award to be presented Sunday as part of the Oregon Sports Awards annual show on the Nike World Campus.

National champion decathlete Josh  Lovell and football quarterback Aaron  Boehme are among five finalists for the Rutchman Award, named after the retired Hall of Fame Linfield coach and athletic director. Also under consideration for the award are Clackamas Community College wrestler Tyrell Fortune, Western Oregon University baseball player Blake Keitzman, and Concordia University track and field standout Greg Schultz.

Lovell, a junior from Vancouver, Wash., was named the 2009 national field athlete of the year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He won the NCAA Division III decathlon title with a career-best 7,080 points, edging his twin brother, Jeremy, who scored 6,857 points. Josh also captured the Northwest Conference decathlon and high jump titles.

Boehme, junior from Stanwood, Wash., led the Wildcats to the Northwest Conference title and NCAA Division III semifinals. He was the Northwest Conference offensive player of the year. He threw for 3,261 yards and 33 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions, completing 60.5 percent and posting a 149.09 rating. He also rushed for 10 TDs and 466 yards. Linfield finished 12-1.

The Oregon Sports Awards begin at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Tiger Woods Center and salutes the state's top athletes, coaches, teams and more for their efforts in 2009 or lifetime achievements.

Winners will be announced in 16 categories. A total of 80 finalists and winners were chosen by a statewide panel.

Ahmad Rashad, Emmy-winning broadcaster and former football star, will be the host for the fourth consecutive year. Rashad, a wide receiver and running back for the University of Oregon from 1969-71, played in four Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl during a 10-year NFL career.

Bill Schonely, the Portland Trail Blazers' founding broadcaster/ambassador, is back as show ambassador.

Tickets to the Oregon Sports Awards are $50. To order, call Chelsea Corrado at SportsOne, 503-721-7477, ext. 24.
This will be the 58th year of the awards show. The event began in 1948 as the Hayward Banquet of Champions. It was discontinued after 1996 but returned in 2002 and has been held as the Oregon Sports Awards for the past nine years, with a new, stage-show format and many added award categories.

The event is sponsored by Nike, the Portland Tribune, Comcast SportsNet, Les Schwab Tires, Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors, Portland Trail Blazers, Dick’s Sporting Goods and SportsOne.

Comcast SportsNet will air this year's Oregon Sports Awards on several occasions: Tuesday, Feb., 2, 8 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 7, 9 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 8, 8 a.m.; Friday, Feb. 12, 9:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
In addition, the show can be seen via Comcast On Demand beginning Feb. 13. Comcast Cable of Oregon digital cable customers may view it at no additional charge by going to Channel 1/sports and fitness/Comcast SportsNet/Oregon Sports Awards.

OREGON SPORTS AWARDS
2009 CATEGORIES AND FINALISTS

Bill Hayward Amateur Athlete of the Year (male)
Ashton Eaton, University of Oregon track and field
Jeremiah Masoli, University of Oregon football
Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State University football
Galen Rupp, University of Oregon track and field
Kyle Singler, Duke University basketball
Ndamukong Suh, University of Nebraska football
Recent winners – Kevin Love (2008), Dennis Dixon (2007), Jonah Nickerson (2006), Mike Hass (2005), Luke Jackson (2004), Luke Ridnour and Steven Jackson (2003), Fred Jones (2002), Joey Harrington (2001)

Bill Hayward Amateur Athlete of the Year (female)
Ashley Charters, University of Washington softball
Michelle Enyeart, University of Portland soccer
Brianne Thiesen, University of Oregon track and field
Rebecca Ward, Duke University fencing
Rachel Yurkovich, University of Oregon track and field
Recent winners – Mariel Zagunis (2008), Stephanie Cox (2007), Brianne McGowan (2006), Christine Sinclair (2005), Mariel Zagunis (2004), Becky Holliday (2003), Christine Sinclair (2002), Felicia Ragland (2001)

Harry Glickman Professional Athlete of the Year (male)
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills
Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox
Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
Nick Symmonds, track and fiel
Recent winners – Brandon Roy (2008), Brandon Roy (2007), Steven Jackson (2006), Ben Crane (2005), Peter Jacobsen (2004), Tom Pappas (2003), Bob Gilder (2002), Scott  Brosius (2001)

Harry Glickman Professional Athlete of the Year (female)
Amy Yoder-Begley, track and field
Stephanie Cox, Los Angeles Sol/U.S. national soccer team
Kara Goucher, track and field
Christine Sinclair, FC Gold Price/Canadian national soccer team
Mariel Zagunis, fencing
Recent winners – Kara Goucher (2008), Kara Goucher (2007), Christine Sinclair (2006), Inge de Bruijn (2004), Maria Mutola (2003), Marla Runyan (2002), Tiffeny Milbrett (2001)

Slats Gill Sportsperson of the Year
Chip Kelly, University of Oregon football
Vin Lananna, University of Oregon cross country, track and field
Mike Riley, Oregon State University football
Craig Robinson, Oregon State University men's basketball
Scott Rueck, George Fox University women's basketball
Recent winners – Mike Riley (2008), Pat Casey (2007), Pat Casey (2006), Pat Casey (2005), Danny Miles (2004), Ernie Kent (2003), Clive Charles (2002), Mike Bellotti (2001)

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (Class 6A/5A male)
Kenneth Acker, Grant basketball, football
Ryan Crouser, Barlow track and field
Sam Crouser, Gresham track and field
Elijah Greer, Lake Oswego track and field
Jordan  Johnson, Sheldon basketball, football
Terrence Jones, Jefferson basketball
Keanon Lowe, Jesuit track and field, football
E.J. Singler, South Medford basketball

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (Class 4A/3A/2A/1A male)
Grant Hedrick, Central baseball, basketball, football
Dakotah Keys, Sweet Home track and field
Nevin Lewis, Culver track and field
Sean Lewis, Damascus Christian track and field
Coulter Mastenbroek, Scio track and field, football
Scott Morse, Cascade Christian basketball, tennis
Jodan Poyer, Astoria basketball, baseball
Cole Watson, Rogue River track and field, cross country

Recent winners – Elijah Greer (2008), Kevin Love (2007), Kevin Love (2006), Kevin Love and Joey Wong (2005), Galen Rupp (2004), Tommy Skipper (2003), Jordan Kent (2002), Jordan Kent (2001)

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (Class 6A/5A female)
Anna Bertrand, McMinnville softball
Elizabeth Brenner, Jesuit basketball, softball, volleyball
Natalie Harrington, Oregon City lacrosse
Kate Lanz, Central Catholic basketball
Annamarie Maag, Jesuit track and field, cross country
Shoni Schimmel, Franklin basketball, softball, cross country
Kellie Schueler, Summit track and field, cross country
Kayla Smith, Benson track and field

Johnny Carpenter Prep Athlete of the Year (Class 4A/3A/2A/1A female)
Tess Bennett, Sutherlin basketball
Kayla Braud, Marist softball
Caralyn Chewning, Willamina basketball, softball, volleyball
Emily Funkhouser, Sherman track and field
Hayley Ney, Catlin Gabel track and field, cross country
Allie Rogers, Marist volleyball
Taylor Wallace, Henley basketball, track and field
Tayla Woods, Santiam Christian basketball, volleyball

Recent winners – Kellie Schueler (2008), Taylor Wallace (2007), Rebecca Kim (2006), Sara Callier (2005), Jillian Harmon (2004), Brianne Anderson-Gregg (2003), Deborah Jones (2002), Maranda Brownson (2001)

Ad  Rutschman Small-College Athlete of the Year (male)
Aaron  Boehme, Linfield College football
Tyrell Fortune, Clackamas Community College wrestling
Blake Keitzman, Western Oregon University baseball
Josh  Lovell, Linfield track and field
Greg Schultz, Concordia University track and field
Recent winners – Ryan Fiegi (2008), Scott O’Gallagher (2007), Nick Symmonds (2006), Brett  Elliott and Nick Symmonds (2005), Brett  Elliott (2004), Tyler  Matthews (2003), David  Russell (2002), Nik Lubisich (2001)

Ad  Rutschman Small-College Athlete of the Year (female)
Annie Hess, Concordia University track and field
Kimber Mattox, Willamette University track and field, soccer, cross country
Jessica Ramback, Concordia University soccer
Kristen Shielee, George Fox University basketball
Jacki Speer, Southern Oregon University basketball
Recent winners – Annie Hess (2008), Kelsi Haylett (2007), Sarah Zerzan (2006), DeeDee Arnall (2005), Caitie Davidson (2004), Shelly Butcher (2003), Meagan Webber (2002), Becky Holliday (2001)

Nike-Steve Prefontaine Award
Ashley Baldovino, Lakeview High School
Josh Elliot, Crater High School
Jed Tolbert, Henley High School
Cole Watson, Rogue River High School
Emily Wheeler, Tualatin High School
Recent winners – Taylor Wallace (2008), Adrienne McGuirk (2007), Casey Masterson (2006), Kenny Klotz (2005), Scott Sanders (2004), Galen Rupp (2003), Lauren Jespersen (2002), Jeane Goff (2001)


Other Awards include:

George Pasero Team of the Year
Recent winners – Northwest Star Academy, OIT Men’s basketball, University of Oregon Men’s Cross Country (2008), Linfield College softball, Oregon State University baseball, University of Oregon men’s cross country (2007); Oregon State University baseball (2006); University of Portland women’s soccer, Oregon State University baseball (2005); Aloha Knights baseball, George Fox University baseball, Linfield College football, Oregon Institute of Technology men’s basketball (2004); Linfield College football (2003); University of Portland women’s soccer, University of Oregon men’s basketball (2002); University of Oregon football (2001)

Les Schwab Friend of Sport Award (no finalists)
Recent winners – Portland Trail Blazers (2008), Henry Cadonau and Carl Cadonau, Alpenrose Dairy (2007), Harvey Platt and Platt Electric (2006), Norm Daniels and Joe’s (2005), Terry Newsom and Pacific Office Automation (2004), U S Bank (2003), Les Schwab Tire Centers (2002)

Lou Burge Special Olympics Athlete of the Year (no finalists)
Recent winners – Kevin Zwart (2008), Amelia Abel (2007), Darrick Yarbrough (2006), Jennifer Hill (2005), Rebecca Taylor (2004), Jennifer Duras (2003), Debra McDougald (2002), John Paul Monroe (2001)