Sportswomen of Colorado Names 2024 Honorees

Denver, CO – Sportswomen of Colorado is proud to announce the honorees for its 51st Annual Awards Celebration, recognizing the remarkable achievements of girls and women in sports across Colorado during the 2024 calendar year.

The awards presentation, which is held annually, will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. This year, the organization will honor individuals which represent a wide range of sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, wrestling, and numerous Olympians and Paralympians. Special awards include Career Achievement, Trailblazer and the Joan Birkland Leadership Award which is named after one of the organization’s founders and Executive Director of Sportswomen of Colorado for 40 years.

Colorado State University’s NCAA championship shot put thrower, Mya Lesner and the first and only true undefeated four-time Colorado girls state wrestling champion for Pomona High School, Persaeus Gomez, will be honored in addition to numerous Olympic gold medalists such as team pursuit track cyclists Chloe Dygert and Jennifer Valente, soccer phenom Sophia Smith, and para triathlete, Haley Danz just to name a few.

“Our 2024 Sportswomen of the Year honorees have not only shattered records and won gold but also have also shown extraordinary resilience and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Sportswomen of Colorado Executive Director Jennifer Anderson-Ehrlich. “These athletes lead with courage, embody strength both mentally and physically, and inspire the world with their accomplishments. Their triumphs remind us that sports do more than create champions—they empower women to chase dreams, thrive in every arena, and build leaders despite barriers along the way.”

This year’s banquet will feature speakers Hillary Allen, a professional ultra runner, endurance athlete and author from Fort Collins, alongside Hanna Joy Atkinson, a renowned public speaker, athlete, and passionate advocate for the Inclusion Revolution. CBS4 Colorado’s leading Sports Anchor, Romi Bean and the one and only Susie Wargin, Denver Broncos Radio Sideline reporter and DJ on 103.5 The Fox, will co-emcee the event and present this year’s awards.

The highlight of the evening will be the surprise announcement of the Sportswoman of the Year Award presented to Colorado’s most outstanding athlete based on her 2024 achievements.

Learn more about the banquet and register for this amazing event on the Sportswomen of Colorado website. 
 

Sportswomen of Colorado Award Honorees

Sport Categories
Sienna Betts – Basketball – High School (Grandview High School)
Lauren Betts – Basketball – College (University of California Los Angeles)
Brooke Raboutou – Climbing – Professional
Addison Ritzenhein – Cross Country (Niwot High School)
Kristine Clark – Distance Running – Masters
Olivia Cummins – Cycling – College (Colorado Mesa University)
Chloe Dygert and Jennifer Valente – Cycling – Professional
Arianna Akey – Flag Football (Mountain Vista High School)
Kristine Franklin – Golf – Masters
Frankie Jo MacAskill – Gymnastics (Mountain Range High School)
Eliza Osburn – Lacrosse – High School (Valor Christian)
Savilia Blunk – Mountain Biking – Professional
Jaleesa Himka – Ninja Warrior (University School of Colorado Springs)
Magdalena Luczak – Skiing (University of Colorado)
Reese McDermott – Soccer – Division II College (Colorado School of Mines)
Jordan Nytes – Soccer – Division I College (University of Colorado)
Sophia Smith – Soccer – Professional (Portland Thorns FC)
Kendall Ferguson – Softball – High School (Valor Christian)
Mayah Arrieta – Softball – College (Colorado Mesa University)
Madison Mintenko – Swimming – High School (Pine Creek High School)
Emma Weber – Swimming – College (University of Virginia)
Morgan Stickney – Para Swimming
JoAnna Kennedy – Tennis (St. Mary’s Academy)
Isabel Allori – Track and Field – High School (Liberty Common High School)
Mya Lesner – Track and Field – College (Colorado State University)
Valerie Constien – Track and Field – Professional
Taylor Knibb – Triathlon – Professional
Hailey Danz – Para Triathlon – Professional
Tara Dower – Ultra Running – Professional
Chloe Elarton – Volleyball – High School (Valor Christian)
Andi Jackson – Volleyball – College (University of Nebraska)
Jordyn Poulter – Volleyball – Professional
Persaeus Gomez – Wrestling (Pomona High School)

Special Awards
Hanna Atkinson – Joan Birkland Leadership Award (Special Olympics Colorado)
Sydney Cole – Career Achievement (University of Northern Colorado, Volleyball)
Colorado Flyers Track Club – Team of the Year (Denver, CO)
Ella Hagen – All-Around (Summit High School)
Maurice “Mo” Henriques – Coach of the Year (Niwot High School, Track and Field)
Anne Kelly – Legacy (University of Colorado, Golf)
Emma Meyers – Trailblazer (Colorado Mesa University, Triathlon)
Marcia Neville – Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award (Sports Journalist)

Four of this year’s honorees will become members of the Hall of Fame for receiving three awards in the same sport. Special congratulations to Pomona High School wrestling champion and McKendree University freshman, Persaeus Gomez; Fossil Ridge High School graduate and Olympic soccer gold medalist, Sophia Smith; Grandview High School graduate and current member of the UCLA women’s basketball team, Lauren Betts; and long-time news reporter and fierce advocate for female athletes, Marcia Neville, who enter the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame this year.

About Sportswomen of Colorado:
Founded in 1974, Sportswomen of Colorado is a community-based organization that supports and honors female athletes, celebrates their achievements and recognizes those whose efforts have advanced girls’ and women’s individual and team sports
endeavors. Sportswomen of Colorado also runs a scholarship program and satellite clinic program which funds and provides experiences for girls aged 8-13.