Annika is rewarding that youthful passion and drive for the third year in a row. The ANNIKA Inspiration Award is a national title given annually to a young female athlete who not only excels in her sport, but demonstrates leadership, provides inspiration for others and gives back to her community.

This is a prestigious award given by the Women’s Sports Foundation each year. This year’s winner will be presented at the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Annual Salute to Women in Sports Awards Gala on October 17, 2012.

Nominations for the 2012 winner are now open! If you know an exceptional young female athlete who excels in her sport while demonstrating leadership qualities, we want to hear her story.

NOMINATE A Female Athlete HERE!

Past ANNIKA Inspiration Award Winners

2011 WINTER VINECKI

Triathlete Winter Vinecki is determined to fight prostate cancer. She formed her non-profit organization, Team Winter, and runs, swims and bikes her way closer to a cure every day. Her inspiration comes from her father, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and died less than one year after his diagnosis. Winter is driven and passionate about finding a cure—and she’s only 12 years old.

2010 CAITLIN BAKER

Caitlin Baker, a young Native American swimmer, began CAITLINB, an outreach program to promote swimming, sports participation and healthy lifestyles to Native American youth who are prone to high instances of diabetes. She has given back so much in her young life, including testifying for her cause on Capitol Hill.

To read more about Winter and Caitlin, visit our ANNIKA Inspiration Award page.