BILLINGS — The Montana Amateur Athletic Union will unveil the 2019 winners of its male and female Little Sullivan Award during an annual banquet on Saturday, May 4 at the Red Lion Hotel in the Grand Montana Ballroom.
Four male finalists and four female finalists have been announced, with the two winners earning the prestigious honor during the banquet. Former Montana State football player Mac Bignell of Drummond and former Washington State volleyball player Taylor Mims of Billings Senior won the awards last spring. Past award winners include Larry Krystkowiak, Dave Dickenson, Loree Payne and Shannon (Cate) Schweyen.
This year’s male finalists are former MSU-Northern wrestler Brandon Weber, former Montana State football player Tucker Yates, Oregon State basketball standout Tres Tinkle and North Dakota State baseball athlete Jayse McLean.
The female finalists are former MSU Billings basketball all-American Alisha Breen, former Rocky Mountain College volleyball outside hitter Hailey Copinga, University of Colorado cross country and track and field runner Makena Morley and Iowa State softball infielder Sydney Stites.
MTN Sports will release stories on each of the eight finalists in the coming days, as voting ends on Monday, April 22.
The Little Sullivan Award was created by the late David and Ella Rivenes of Miles City. David Rivenes served as the national AAU President and held numerous positions within the Montana AAU and Miles City sports communities. The Rivenes created the Little Sullivan Award to honor outstanding male and female athletes in the Treasure State that display qualities of athletic excellence, leadership, character, sportsmanship and ideals of amateurism, according to the Montana Amateur Athletic Union.
All current card-holding adult Montana AAU members, plus Montana media representatives, are eligible to vote for this year’s winners by emailing selections to mtaau.reg@gmail.com by Monday, April 22.
Tickets to the annual banquet can be purchased by emailing mtaau.reg@gmail.com or by calling (406) 489-0251. Tickets will remain on sale until May 1.
