Big 12 Athlete of the Year candidates will be highlighted each day through July 24. Fans will be able to vote for their male and female choices from July 24-29. Fan voting will be considered in the final tally for selecting this prestigious award. Today’s featured candidates are Baylor’s Brette Reagan and Jason Smith.

Baylor Female Athlete of the Year Candidate

Brette Reagan; Softball
Senior; Magnolia, Texas

2008-09 Accomplishments:
^Three-time All-America
^Four-time All-Region with three first-team awards, including 2009
^Four-time All-Big 12 with three first-team awards, including 2009
^Hit .333 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 30 RBI in 41 starts
^Missed just four weeks in the middle of the season while rehabbing a torn ACL, returning for the final 25 games
^Ranked No. 2 on Baylor’s career home run list with 41
^Led BU to third place in the Big 12 and an NCAA Super Regional appearance

Baylor Male Athlete of the Year Candidate

Jason Smith; Football
Senior; Dallas, Texas

2008-09 Accomplishments:
^No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft
^The second Big 12 player to be selected in the top two picks
^All-America First Team
^All-Big 12 First Team
^Started all 11 games at left tackle as a senior and numbered 38 career starts
^Helped the Baylor offensive line pave the way for 29 rushing touchdowns, the third-highest total in school history
^The Bears rushed for 2,349 yards in 2008, a 251 percent increase from 2007