:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5239581/sdoty.0.png)
Provided that the Mayans weren't right, the calendar will soon be turning to 2013, closing the book on another very successful season of Sun Devil sports.
During 2012, there were countless amazing performances by Sun Devil athletes in a wide variety of sports, but only one can take home the inaugural title of House of Sparky's Sun Devil Athlete of the Year.
A decision like this could be made by the House of Sparky staff, but no. To be named the best Sun Devil, an athlete must earn it from all Sun Devils, so we have assembled the nominees and it's up to you to VOTE in our poll below for your pick.
Poll will close on Thursday December 27th at 11:59pm.
Alicia Brightwell - Water Polo
Water does nothing to faze Sun Devils, as Brightwell proved. The senior led ASU's excellent water polo squad with an incredible 75 goals, the second-most in school history and the most of any player in the MPSF this season. She notched 18 hat tricks and was named a first team All-American, as well as on the MPSF All-Conference First-Team and MPSF All-Tournament teams.
Katelyn Boyd - Softball
Boyd ended her incredible ASU career by being named an All-American for the third time in leading the defending champions back to the WCWS. She finished the year batting .419 with 19 home runs, 62 RBI, 22 steals and an OPS of 1.348.
Jordan Clarke - Track & Field
The beastly Clarke defended his defended his 2011 national titles in the shot put events, sweeping both the indoor and outdoor championships. He also won the Pac-12 title in the event, and in such impressive fashion that he took home Pac-12 Men's Athlete of the Meet honors.
Joey DiMichele - Baseball
After winning the Pac-12 batting title in 2011, what does one do for an encore? How about hit .346 with 47 RBI and put up a .946 OPS on the way to another first team All-Pac-12 selection? Sounds good. Top top it off, DiMichele went on to be a third round selection of the Chicago White Sox and pocketed a nice $400,000 signing bonus.
Kale Dolinski - Hockey
The gritty forward continues to lead the offensive attack for the No. 1 ranked Sun Devils. After finishing the 2011-2012 season tied for the team lead with 46 points, Dolinski is again on top for the nation's best team with 37 points in just 21 games.
Macey Gardner - Volleyball
In a fall of fine fabulous freshman performances, Gardner's season ranks up there with the more heralded D.J. Foster and Marion Grice. The Gilbert native led the Pac-21 with 562 kills and in the process was named to the All-Pac-12 team, representing ASU's first all-conference player since 2012, and was also, predictably, on the Pac-12 All-Freshman team.
Brandon Magee - Football
Yes, he was fantastic on the field—104 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two interceptions—but it was his off-field work that was perhaps most impressive. Magee became the face for not only ASU football, but Sun Devil sports as a whole, and his community service and leadership efforts make him a true role model.
Will Sutton - Football
When you join a list that includes Randall McDaniel, Terrell Suggs, and Mike Haynes, you did pretty well. Sutton led a resurgent ASU defense with his dominating play, en route to becoming just the 15th consensus All-American in program history.