Colorado Springs, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Skier Ted Ligety and swimmer Katie Ledecky were named the top athletes for 2012-13 by the United States Olympic Committee.
Ligety finished the 2012-13 season ranked first in giant slalom and third overall in the FIS world cup standings to earn the Sportsman of the Year. In February 2013, Ligety became only the fourth man -- and the first in 45 years -- to win three gold medals at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. He opened the event with stunning victories in super-G and super combined, before defending his giant slalom title, besting the field by nearly a full second.
Ledecky was the Sportswoman of the Year after earning four gold medals and two world records at the World Championships in Barcelona. She broke world records in the 1,500- and 800-meter freestyle events, and also won gold in the 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay.
The U.S. men's doubles tennis team of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan was honored as Team of the Year. The twins became the first men's doubles team in the Open Era (1968) to hold all four Grand Slam titles after their victory at Wimbledon in July.
For Paralympic sport, para-cyclist Monica Bascio was named Sportswoman of the Year, track & field athlete Raymond Martin was tabbed Sportsman of the Year and the men's 4x100-meter track & field team was designated Team of the Year.
The USOC Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards have been presented annually since 1974 to the top overall male and female athlete from within the USOC member organizations. The team award was added in 1996, and the Paralympian of the Year was awarded for the first time in 2004.
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