Vote Early, Vote Often

ESPN 710 has opened voting for its Southern California Sports Awards.

You may recall that a Trojan did pretty well at the LA Sports Council Awards this year. There's also a USC athlete up for the Sullivan Award (see below).

Among USC's five nomination listings from ESPN:

• College Female Team of the Year: A true Cinderella story, USC's women's soccer team finished second in the Pac-10 standings (20-3-2, 6-2-1), but first in the nation as it claimed its first ever, and the Pac-10's first-ever national nhampionship. ... Prior to this season, USC had never advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament ... Sophomore goalkeeper Kristin Olsen was named the tournament's most outstanding defensive player.
• College Male Team of the Year: The Trojans football team, under Pete Carroll, had another phenomenal season, finishing with a record of 11-2. That gave them the Pac-10 title, and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where they dominated Illinois, 49-17.
• Inspirational Athlete of the Year: Ricky Rosas; USC ... Volunteer 'Gatorade Bartender' and office aide, Ricky Rosas has assisted the USC football office for nearly two years. Rosas enjoys working with the program and attends nearly every practice and home football game with the Trojans.
• College Male Athlete of the Year: Sedrick Ellis, USC football ... Ellis played all 13 games for the Trojans and finished the season with 58 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks, seven deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He was a unanimous choice on the 2007 all Pac-10 first team. Ellis was named USC's Co-MVP.
• College Female Athlete of the Year: Kristin Olsen, USC Soccer ... The USC goalkeeper collected 12 shutouts throughout the season. She was named the most outstanding defensive player of the NCAA Tournament, and she was named second team All American by Soccer Buzz and the National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America.

To participate in voting, click here. You will have to register for the ESPN 710 VIP Club.

USC sophomore golfer Jamie Lovemark has also picked up a big nomination -- for the Sullivan Award. The annual prize is presented to the nation's top amateur athlete. His profile in USA Today:

Lovemark, 20, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., won the NCAA individual title as a freshman at Southern California last year. He also played on the victorious U.S. Walker Cup team, finishing 3-0 in his matches. Last spring he won the Pacific-10 individual title and led the Trojans to the team title.

To vote for this year's Sullivan Award (no registration needed), click here.