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 Missouri’s Sarah Shire and Mark Ellis.

Missouri Female Athlete of the Year Candidate

Sarah Shire; Gymnastics
Junior; Hartsburg, Mo.

2008-09 Accomplishments:
^NCAA South Central Region Gymnast of the Year
^Big 12 Conference Co-Gymnast of the Year
^First Team All-America on vault
^Big 12 all-around, vault and beam champion
^All-Big 12 on vault, uneven bars and beam
^Six-time Big 12 Gymnast of the Week
^Big 12 vault, beam, floor exercise and all-around teams

Missouri Male Athlete of the Year Candidate

Mark Ellis; Wrestling
Junior; Peculiar, Mo.

2008-09 Accomplishments:
^Heavyweight National Champion
^Second place in heavyweight at Big 12 Championship
^Champion of the The Midlands Tournament and the Missouri Open Tournament
^Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on January 5
^2009 Most Missouri Falls (nine)
^Missouri Most Outstanding Wrestler