4 University of Utah athletes win governor's State of Sports awards

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah announced they were awarded four of the governor's State of Sports awards Monday night.

Zack Moss and MyKayla Skinner were awarded the Collegiate Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards, while the ski team earned the Team of the Year honor, and Utah men’s basketball beating Kentucky won the Highlight of the Year award.

Moss was given the award for being one of the nation's top rushers. In 2019, Moss broke the school’s all-time rushing record during his senior season in a game against Arizona State, while also picking up Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and All-American honors. Moss is also Utah’s career leader in rushing touchdowns and 100 yard rushing games. He finished the season ranked in the top 15 in rushing touchdowns, rushing yards and rushing yards per game.

Skinner’s eight All-American awards and five All-Pac 12 awards during the 2019 season solidified her as one of the most decorated gymnasts during that year. She led the Pac-12 in vault and floor while finishing runner up in the overall All-Around to UCLA’s Kyla Ross. She is the first Utah gymnast to win the Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year since 2016 when Georgia Dabritz won the award.

Utah’s ski team won its 12th national championship in team history during the 2019 season, chalking up their second title in three seasons. Eight of Utah’s skiers earned All-American honors while also earning five spots on the podium during the NCAA national championships. It is Utah's third State of Sports award since 2017.

The Runnin’ Utes earned a hard-fought victory over the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 18. This was one of the nation's top upsets during the 2019-20 season as the Utes topped the Wildcats 69-66. Utah's 17-point second half lead gave a lot of hope, but Kentucky mounted a comeback, but came up just short. This was Utah’s first time beating Kentucky since 1976.

The other award winners were Stetson Wright (Rodeo), Nitro Rally Cross (Highlight of the Year), Rudy Gobert (Professional Male), Christen Press (Professional Female), Kelley O’Hara (Professional Female), Jared Ward (Olympian Male), Brittany Bowe (Olympian Female), Saylor O’Brien (Adaptive Female), Keith Gabel (Adaptive Male), Huntyr Ava (High School Female), Ed Eyestone (Coach of the Year), Cole Hagen (High School Male).

The governor’s State of Sports awards are hosted by the Utah Sports Commission and have been around since 2012.

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