Skeet Reese is ESPY Nominee

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., was tapped today as one of five nominees for the Best Outdoor Athlete award of the 2008 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour.

Reese was nominated for his achievements in competitive bass fishing over the past year, including winning the 2007 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown and scoring one Bassmaster Elite Series victory. As holder of bass fishing’s most prestigious title, Reese has served as an ambassador for the sport, appearing in major sporting venues throughout the year as well as being profiled by major media outlets. Besides being the reigning AOY, Reese has 40 top-10 finishes, including three BASS wins, on his career resume.

“I feel extremely honored to be nominated in the outdoor category,” Reese said. “It’s gratifying to be among such a world-class group of athletes. Would I like to add an ESPY trophy to my mantel? Yes! It’s such a unique award. As an angler, it’s not something you’d ever expect to get. It would be pretty darn cool to win that.”

There is a precedent for professional anglers winning at the ESPYs. Current Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Kevin VanDam (2002) and previous AOY champion Jay Yelas (2003) both took home the ESPY hardware in the outdoors division. Also, Tammy Richardson of Glenwood, Ark., who competes on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Academy Sports & Outdoors circuit, in 2006 won what was then called the Best Angler award.

Dean Karnazes, who completed 50 marathons in 50 days, was the winner of the Best Outdoors athlete ESPY in 2007.

The other four 2008 Best Outdoor Athlete nominees are dog musher Lance Mackey, champion of the 2007 and 2008 Iditarod; 50-year-old marathon swimmer Skip Storch, who circled the island of Manhattan in record time in August 2007; mountain climber Army Capt. Scott Smiley, who scaled Mount Rainier in 2007 despite having lost his sight in the war in Iraq; and mountain climber Dave Hahn, who has reached the summit of Mount Everest 10 times, a record among American climbers.

Starting today, fans can cast their votes for their favorites online at http://www.espys.tv and, for the first time, via mobile phone at http://www.espn.mobi. Fan voting will determine the winners in all 37 ESPYs categories except for this year’s three special awards. The balloting will be open until 11:59 p.m. ET July 12. Last year, more than 12.5 million votes were tabulated.

The ESPYs will be televised at 9 p.m. ET, Sunday, July 20 on ESPN and ESPN HD. Hosted by
Justin Timberlake, the 16th annual ESPYs will take place in a new venue, NOKIA Theater L.A.
LIVE, in downtown Los Angeles.