This past season of collegiate athletics offered some of the most memorable moments and performances in sports; from the dominant force, to the underdogs who beat the odds, to a three-peat, to the play that almost never actually works.
For the best in-game performances and games in collegiate athletics, here are the nominees:
Click here for the list of ESPYS nominees for individual players and coaches.
Best Championship Performance, Lauren Haeger, a senior pitcher for the Florida Gators softball team, is nominated alongside Madison Bumgarner, LeBron James and triple-crown winning horse American Pharaoh. She may not be favored in her category, but Haeger's effort in leading the Gators to a second straight College World Series title is a testament to how dominant she was.
Best Record-Breaking Performance: Lauren Chamberlain, an infielder for the Oklahoma softball team, hit the 91st home run of her career this season, giving her more than any other college softball player ever. Also bidding for the award are Klay Thompson, Devin Hester and Peyton Manning.
Best Upset: the following two nominees will go up against the Kansas City Royals winning eight straight playoff games to secure their trip to the World Series.
In the NCAA Tournament, some upsets stand out, such as when Georgia State Baylor on this absurd three-pointer from R.J. Hunter.
In college football, few upsets this year can stand up to when Ole Miss defended their home against the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide.
Best Play:
Central Michigan's Hail Mary in the Bahamas Bowl has to be considered a strong contender. How many times does any given football team throw a Hail Mary to no avail? Often. How often does a football team try lateralling the ball with no time left to avoid being downed, also to no avail? Often. Central Michigan pulled off both on the same play and won.
