OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission announced its 2021 award nominees, with three Redhawks in the running. Hallie Bergford of women's soccer, Regie Grady of track, and Ally Choate of softball all were nominated for awards.
The awards will be announced on November 3 at 7:00 pm. A free virtual event will be held to announce the winners, with registration open now online.
Choate, Bergford, and Grady were all nominated for the Women's College Sports Star of the Year award. That trio make up half of the nominees for the award.
A native of Olympia, Bergford earned WAC Freshman of the Year last year as she helped the Redhawks to a 12-5-2 record, including a 10-2-2 mark in WAC play. Bergford made 14 appearances and eight starts for the Redhawks. In that time, she managed a goal and three assists, with her goal proving pivotal in Seattle U's WAC Tournament win over Grand Canyon.
Choate, a native of Yelm, earned First Team All-WAC and NFCA All-Region Third Team after helping the Redhawks to another NCAA Regionals appearance. That was her third consecutive First Team All-WAC award, becoming the second Redhawk ever to earn First Team All-WAC in every year she was eligible to do so. Choate would hit .363 for the Redhawks, finishing her Seattle U career second in hits and third in runs. She earned Seattle U Female Student-Athlete of the Year to finish the 2021 campaign.
Grady, a native of Olympia, was a part of Seattle U's stellar relay teams in 2021, helping the Redhawks post their seventh-best ever 4x400m relay time at the WAC Championship. During the indoor season, Grady would earn All-WAC Second Team and help the distance medley relay team earn a third-place finish at the WAC Championships. Grady was also integral to Seattle U's record-setting indoor 4x400m relay team, which ran a 3:52.62 that was the best in Seattle U history. Her individual 400m time of 57.81 was the second-best in Seattle U history.
The Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission Thurston County Sports Awards recognizes local athletes, coaches, and the sports community for their contributions. All nominations were submitted by Thurston County community members and were voted on by an advisory committee made up of community stakeholders.
The awards will be announced on November 3 at 7:00 pm. A free virtual event will be held to announce the winners, with registration open now online.
Choate, Bergford, and Grady were all nominated for the Women's College Sports Star of the Year award. That trio make up half of the nominees for the award.
A native of Olympia, Bergford earned WAC Freshman of the Year last year as she helped the Redhawks to a 12-5-2 record, including a 10-2-2 mark in WAC play. Bergford made 14 appearances and eight starts for the Redhawks. In that time, she managed a goal and three assists, with her goal proving pivotal in Seattle U's WAC Tournament win over Grand Canyon.
Choate, a native of Yelm, earned First Team All-WAC and NFCA All-Region Third Team after helping the Redhawks to another NCAA Regionals appearance. That was her third consecutive First Team All-WAC award, becoming the second Redhawk ever to earn First Team All-WAC in every year she was eligible to do so. Choate would hit .363 for the Redhawks, finishing her Seattle U career second in hits and third in runs. She earned Seattle U Female Student-Athlete of the Year to finish the 2021 campaign.
Grady, a native of Olympia, was a part of Seattle U's stellar relay teams in 2021, helping the Redhawks post their seventh-best ever 4x400m relay time at the WAC Championship. During the indoor season, Grady would earn All-WAC Second Team and help the distance medley relay team earn a third-place finish at the WAC Championships. Grady was also integral to Seattle U's record-setting indoor 4x400m relay team, which ran a 3:52.62 that was the best in Seattle U history. Her individual 400m time of 57.81 was the second-best in Seattle U history.
The Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission Thurston County Sports Awards recognizes local athletes, coaches, and the sports community for their contributions. All nominations were submitted by Thurston County community members and were voted on by an advisory committee made up of community stakeholders.