Nia Williams Named Finalist for Kevin Gray Award
Finalists for the 2024 Kevin Gray Awards presented by Ivy Funds were announced on Monday and will be featured this Friday in the Shield Club at Sporting Park during a Finalist Show that will air live locally from 6-6:30 p.m. CT on Time Warner Cable Metro Sports. The Kevin Gray Awards presented by Ivy Funds were established in 2024 in honor of the late Kansas City Sports Commission president Kevin Gray and annually recognize the athletic achievements of soccer players, coaches and ambassadors in or from the Kansas City area.
The top three nominees in each award category are listed below:
Male Youth Player of the Year
- Paul Dean: Blue Valley North, Sporting Kansas City Academy U18
- Seo-in Kim: Blue Valley West, Sporting Kansas City Academy U18
- Clay Stewart: Olathe South, Sporting Blue Valley Ajax 96-97
Female Youth Player of the Year
- Jaycie Johnson: Lee’s Summit West, Sporting Blue Valley ECNL U18
- Emily Herndon: Blue Valley Northwest, Sporting Blue Valley ECNL U18
- Sydney Miramontez: Shawnee Mission West, Sporting Blue Valley ECNL U18
Adult Player of the Year
- Matt Besler: Sporting KC, US Men’s National Team, Notre Dame, Blue Valley West
- Andy Gruenebaum: Columbus Crew, Kentucky, Blue Valley North
- Nia Williams: FC Kansas City, Missouri State, St. James Academy
Coach of the Year
- Rick Pribyl: Blue Valley Northwest Women’s Team
- Rob Herringer: Benedictine College Men’s Team
- Chris Lawson: Rockhurst High School
Friday’s ceremony, hosted by Dave Stewart, will profile each the above candidates and also unveil this year’s “Kevin Gray Soccer Ambassador of the Year.” Winners of the Kevin Gray Awards presented by Ivy Funds will then be announced on Saturday, July 13 at Sporting Park prior to Sporting Kansas City’s home match against Toronto FC.
