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Every year it’s always nice to look back on the following 12 months to review and take in all that had happened. It’s actually kind of a daunting process because I couldn’t even tell you where I was last year for New Years Eve… the past somewhat blends into itself, but I am going to give it my best shot to give you my favorite events in women’s sports for the year 2010.

I’ll start with the most recent. Many people would probably say that this was a very impacting event for women sports…as they should! The University of Connecticut streak. Not only is it amazing that they beat a men’s record, but the fact that they ended up winning 90 games in a row is just fantastic. Think about that… seriously. I compare that to maybe running in 90 races and winning them all. That is absolutely no joke. The reason that I think this is one of the more impacting events in women’s sports for the year 2010 is because the chances of the streak that they just created being broken is so far off in the future and whoever attempts it has got some big Nike’s to fill. I’m pretty sure that the impact of this event will put these women in the history books (that is if we get some women historians to give these women the credit they deserve. I know Michael Jordan was in my history book and so there will be no excuses for accomplishment not to be noted).

I was even more amazed by these women because they got people TALKING about women’s sports. It was not just a thread or a blog here and there, every one was talking about it: espn, sport radio, the news, Facebook, blogs, and of course WTS. Discussions were brought up at my work about this team and about the streak. Although I work with all men, it gave me a shot to defend these women, argue a bit, and show them that maybe we’ve got more skill than they think we do (in women’s sports in general). The coach of the UConn women said it best when he addressed those people who only watch men’s basketball and think that their breaking the streak was less than it really was.. To hear someone be so candid and not hide what he, and many (including myself), feel is miraculous. Some times in order to make a statement you have to be bold, fearless, and be ready for the backlash. He was all of that and more. Props. Haters will be haters and most of the time you can’t change them but hopefully it made them question their views a bit; maybe that’s all the hope they’ve got .

My second favorite women’s sports moment is when Chrissie Wellington set the world record in the Ironman. Wellington missed going to the World Championships, which she had won the last two years (and was hoping to do for a third time this year) because of illness. Her illness turned out to be pneumonia, strep throat, and West Nile Virus. Yes, freaking West Nile! This is just a guess but I’m figuring that she was training through her illnesses for a while (since it was noted that she dropped out of the race to qualify for Kona the day of the race). She was probably fighting until the end wanting badly to compete. Even if my assumption about these events are not true, it is 100 percent true that overcoming that sickness, within a months time, to race again and set the world record is pretty incredible. Not only is it proven that she is a dedicated, hard working athlete but she seems like a genuinely sweet person. She gives back by raising money for organizations such as Blazeman Foundation, which raises money for ALS research, and GOTRIbal, an organization to help promote triathlon, athletics, health and wellness among women. If that does not knock her up on the coolness level, I’m not sure what would! She is a wonderful representation of the female endurance athlete. My guess is there is more to come in 2011 from this woman.

This last one isn’t necessarily an event…it’s just something cool that I have noticed while I am adding athletes to the Women Talk Sports Athlete Directory. When I added Chrissie Wellington into the “Multisport” category, I realized how few of the multisport athletes there are in our A.D. The fact that she made some headline news means that their sport is growing. It’s influenced me to find more of these athletes to add and has made me pay attention to that sport, how could I not? The sport I hold close to my heart is infused into the sport that she represents. Another athlete, Ali Lee, who is now a member of the WTS network was also a recent addition to the A.D. She is our first ever field hockey athlete! When I found out she was joining the network I was looking forward to reading posts about the field hockey lifestyle that she lives. Field hockey, from what I know, used to be a popular sport then it faded but is making it’s way into popularity once again. My own high school now has a field hockey team which has drawn in many of the students. I think it’s pretty cool that we are getting different perspectives so we can appreciate the multitude of things we as women can do. With every new sport added is an indication that there is more opportunity for those women in the future. Keep pavin’ the way female athletes of the world!

This concludes my favorite moments in women’s sports 2010. What were your favorite events? Most of these are recent as my brain is getting to old to reach that far back in time to remember all the best from this past year, so help me out!

Feel the passion.

Use the passion.

~Stephanie

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This post is related to an ongoing story:

• 2010: the Year in Review

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