Jonathan Taylor named College Athlete of the Year at Wisconsin Sports Awards

Two University of Wisconsin footballers were recognized at Thursday night’s 2019 Wisconsin Sports awards.

Running back Jonathan Taylor added to his trophy case with the Fiduciary Management Marc Marotta College Athlete of the Year award. Taylor will need to make some room on his mantle between his 2018 Doak Walker award, Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Joining Taylor on the stage is rising freshman Leo Chenal, who won the High School Football Player of the Year for his work as a running back for Grantsburg High School. At Grantsburg, Chenal ran for 2,038 yards and 42 touchdowns last season. Enrolling early, Chenal has gotten practice as a linebacker for UW in spring practice.

In what Badger fans hope will become UW sports news, forward Jalen Johnson from Nicolet High School won Rick Majerus Boys High School Basketball Player of the Year. Last month, Johnson announced Wisconsin was in his top 4.

Also nominated...

UW was also recognized as nominees for a few categories. Swimming star Beata Nelson was nominated for the College Athlete of the Year Award after a season of excellent results which included breaking the american 100-yard backstroke record.

Women’s hockey, arguably the gold standard for athletic success at UW, was nominated for two awards. Goalie Kristen Campbell’s three straight NCAA tournament shutouts was nominated for Individual Performance of the Year, presented by Wheels Up. The women’s hockey team was also nominated for The Home Market Team of the Year for winning its fifth national title.

The 2018-19 Bucks beat out Wisconsin for the award in spite of falling well short of a championship.