Carmelo Anthony’s big year earned him designation as the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s pro athlete of the year.
Anthony was selected Monday by the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, along with Olympic freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo, a gold medalist at the Beijing Games, as special award headliners for the April 14 induction banquet.
Anthony helped Team USA win the basketball gold medal in Beijing last year after another all-star season with the Nuggets. Cejudo, a resident of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and a former Coronado High School star, was named the amateur/Olympic athlete of the year.
“Denver is home to me, and to be recognized for my achievements in the sports community here is a great honor,” Anthony said. “This award definitely caps off what was already a big year for me with the Olympics and all.”
University of Denver skier John Buchar and Colorado steeplechase star Jenny Barringer were named the college male and female athletes of the year.
Golfer Becca Huffer of Littleton and football player Parker Orms of Wheat Ridge were selected from the high school ranks.
The Class of 2009 inductees are Laurice “Lo” Hunter, prominent high school coach; Rod Smith, Broncos wide receiver; Jerry McMorris, Rockies owner; John Mosley, Colorado State athlete; Sonny Lubick, CSU coach; and Ralph Backstrom, prominent hockey player, coach and executive.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame awards
Pro athlete of the year
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
Amateur/Olympic athlete of the year
Henry Cejudo, Colorado Springs, Olympic wrestling
College athletes of the year
Male: John Buchar, University of Denver, skiing
Female: Jenny Barringer, Colorado, track and cross country
High school athletes of the year
Boys: Parker Orms, Wheat Ridge, football
Girls: Becca Huffer, Littleton, golf
Citations
George Karl, Nuggets coach
Lindsey Vonn, World Cup skier
Katie Uhlaender, skeleton racer
Mike Shanahan, Broncos coach
Brad Lidge, Phillies pitcher from Cherry Creek High School
Glendale rugby club
Tyler Graff, Loveland High School wrestler
Aaron Cook, Rockies pitcher
Rudy Carey, Denver East boys basketball coach
Dave Wiens, cyclist
