Caitlin Clark Named AP Female Athlete of the Year

Shohei Ohtani and Caitlin Clark have been named the 2024 Associated Press Athletes of the Year, with Ohtani winning the male award for the third time and Clark recognized as the female athlete for her significant impact on women's basketball. Ohtani delivered an exceptional season with the Dodgers, posting a .310 batting average, 54 home runs, and 130 RBIs, and contributing to their World Series win after signing a record $700 million contract. Clark, a standout from Iowa, not only led her team to the national championship but also set the NCAA Division I scoring record with 3,951 points, earning her the top pick in the WNBA draft and Rookie of the Year honors. In a vote by 74 sports journalists, Clark received 35 votes, significantly ahead of her closest competitor, Simone Biles. She is only the fourth women’s basketball player to receive this award since its inception in 1931, highlighting her role in elevating the profile of women's sports. Despite her success, Clark faces online toxicity but remains focused on celebrating women's athletics.