Athlete of the Year candidate Williamsburg Austin Blythe. Photographed Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

AUSTIN BLYTHE, Williamsburg

A four-time state finalist in wrestling, and believed to be the first in state history to advance to the finals at heavyweight four times. Won three state championships, including a 49-1 season as a senior. The Gazette/KCRG  defensive player of the year and an all-state football player, he collected 66 tackles, 17 for loss, as the Raiders finished 10-2. State qualifier in track. Will play football at the University of Iowa.

Athlete of the Year candidate North Tama Brendon Boerm. Photographed Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

BRENDON BOERM, North Tama

Compiled one of the most impressive performances ever in a state football final. Posted an astounding triple-triple — more than 100 yards in rushing, passing and receiving — in the Redhawks’ come-from-behind Class A win over Madrid. Accounted for 53 touchdowns and earned The Gazette/KCRG player-of-the-year honors. Averaged 13.8 points per game in basketball and batted .529 in baseball with 62 runs and 53 RBIs, and earned first-team all-state honors. Will walk on to the football team at Iowa.

Athlete of the Year candidate Cedar Rapids Washington Alex Carr. Photographed Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

ALEX CARR, Cedar Rapids Washington

The Gazette/KCRG offensive football player of the year after rushing for 1,687 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall. The face of Washington’s track team that captured state championships in 2009 and 2010, as a sprint-relay anchor. This spring, he placed third in the 100 and was on three relay teams that finished in the top four. Averaged 3.3 points in basketball as Warriors finished 17-9 and reached the state tournament. Will play football at the University of Northern Iowa.

Athlete of the Year candidate Solon Derrick Loveless. Photographed Saturday, July 30, 2011, in Des Moines, Iowa. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

DERRICK LOVELESS, Solon

Capped a dizzying spring/summer season with a second state baseball championship, the Spartans’ second in a row. Successfully got through the track/soccer/baseball overlap. The soccer team earned state runner-up honors as Loveless played goalkeeper. A sprinter on the Spartans’ track team. Major part of Solon’s four-year championship run in football that netted a 54-1 record. Rushed for seven touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 391 yards and three TDs. A 27th-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Derrick Loveless was unavailable for a video interview, since he has already left for Florida to be with the Dunedin Blue Jays at the time of filming.

Athlete of the Year candidate Cedar Rapids Jefferson Jarrod Uthoff. Photographed Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, in Cedar Rapids. (SourceMedia Group News/Jim Slosiarek)

JARROD UTHOFF, Cedar Rapids Jefferson

Earned Iowa’s Mr. Basketball award after leading the J-Hawks to the state tournament twice. Despite being the focus of every opponent’s defense, he led the state with a 26.2 scoring average (a high of 44 early in the season against Marion), hitting 55 percent of his shots from the floor and 84.6 percent from the free-throw line. His rebounding average of 11.2 ranked third in Class 4A. Will play basketball at the University of Wisconsin.