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Paul Ulane
Duane Munn
Gary Gramling
Posted: Monday September 24, 2007 3:46PM; Updated: Monday October 8, 2007 10:31AM

Youth Athlete of the Year

You decided which youth athlete will appear on the cover of SI Kids

Here are the nominees for the SI Kids' Youth Athlete of the Year. Voting is now closed.

2007 SI Kids Youth Athlete of the Year voting is now closed
2007 SI Kids Youth Athlete of the Year voting is now closed

Tony B., 9
Football-Baseball

Youth Athlete of the Year

Tony was born with only one full-sized, functioning hand, but he hasn't let that hold him back. He was the only 9-year-old all-star from his baseball team. In 17 games, Tony hit .308 with eight RBIs. He stole home four times and finished the season with 16 stolen bases. Tony's lone home run was a 253-foot blast that landed in the dugout of the next field. In the field, Tony played every position, despite having to throw and catch the ball with the same hand. In football, Tony has scored four touchdowns so far this season, including a punt return for a score. When he isn't playing sports, Tony tutors a fellow student after school every day.

Tommi O., 8
Wrestling

Youth Athlete of the Year

Don't let the name fool you. Tommi is an eight-year-old girl who competes against boys in wrestling. In 2007, she went 43-0 and all her wins were by pin or technical fall. Tommi was the 2007 Wyoming state champion in folk style and Greco-Roman style wrestling in her 45-pound weight class. She placed third at the Cliff Keen Tulsa National Kickoff Classic and second at the Cliff Keen Reno National Tournament. She won the folk style title at the AAU Grand Nationals and finished second in Greco-Roman and freestyle. Tommi's record in national competitions is 17-4. Tommi puts the same energy into her schoolwork as she does into wrestling, regularly finishing in the top grading category, and volunteering to help kids in her class with their school work.

Brock H., 10
BMX

Youth Athlete of the Year

Brock is the 2007 UCI world champion in the 10-year-old division and is currently the points leader in the race for the American Bicycle Association 2007 Cruiser Amateur Champion of the Year. Brock is a multi-sport athlete who led his NFL Flag Football team to the semifinals. He also led his baseball team in slugging percentage and helped them advance to the league championship game. In addition to his on-the-field accomplishments, Brock is a straight-A student, a classroom representative in the student council, and a volunteer in the school cafeteria.

Andrea K., 14
Swimming

Youth Athlete of the Year

At age 13, Andrea made her first Olympic trial time in the 200-meter breast stroke. At age 14, she made the Olympic time trial in the 200-meter individual medley. Andrea is on the national junior team and will represent the U.S. in the Junior Pan Pacific Games in Melbourne, Australia, in January 2008. Andrea skipped kindergarten and is a high school sophomore at age 14 and has received the highest award for outstanding performance on the national Latin examination. She also gives swimming lessons for community service during the summer.

Grayden S., 9
Hockey

Youth Athlete of the Year

In 63 games, Grayden scored a team-high 181 goals and had 115 assists as his team won its second consecutive provincial hockey title for the west region of Ontario, Canada. He was the MVP of the Silver Stick Regional Final tournament and the top scorer in the Welland Little NHL tournament. Grayden also won four cross country races last year and is the Number 2 triathlete in the 8- and 9-year-old division in Ontario. In addition to sports, Grayden plays the piano and had the best grades in his third grade class.

Paul K., 14
Track & Field

Youth Athlete of the Year

Paul began running track two years ago. In his first season, he finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Track & Field Junior Olympics. Last season, he continued his dominance in the hurdles at the Junior Olympics. Paul won both the 100- and 200-meter hurdles and was a member of the bronze medal-winning 4x400-meter relay team. He is currently ranked Number 1 in the nation in both hurdle events according to the National Elite Youth Ranking System and is the starting quarterback on his school's freshmen football team. Paul, a member fo the junior national honor society, also sings in his school's concert choir and was judged the Number 2 bass singer out of 100 contestants in a solo competition.