Cox Sports Television sends along this information about its newly-created Cox Rhode Island Sports Awards, announcing three award winners that have already been selected and nominees for several scholastic awards yet to be chosen:

Cox Sports Television today announced the Scholastic Winter Nominees, the Collegiate Male and Female Athletes of the Year and Ryan Gomes as the Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. The Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year is Nicole Riley from Rhode Island College and the Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year is Herbert Hill from Providence College.

Ryan Gomes, the Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, was selected for his ties to Rhode Island and his great first couple of years playing for the Boston Celtics of the NBA.

Rhode Island College Head Softball Coach Maria Morin (says of Riley's selection):
"The countless hours of hard work and dedication to her craft and her team has made Nicole into one of the best pitchers in our program's history. She has been instrumental to the achievements of our program. She has led our team on and off the field and has always put the TEAM before herself."

"Herb is certainly very deserving of this award," Providence College Head Coach Tim Welsh said (of Hill). "He had a great season this year. Herb was one of the top players in the BIG EAST as he proved he can play at a very high level. I know he will continue to improve his game and have even more success at the next level."

The voting is underway for all scholastic nominees at www.risportsawards.com. Here is a list of the winter nominee leaders by sport:

Boys Indoor Track: Michael Lauro from Classical with 40%
Boys Basketball: David Rufful from Bishop Hendricken with 48%
Girls Basketball: Jenna Buffi from Smithfield with 37%
Girls Indoor Track: Ana Velez from Central Falls with 53%
Gymnastics: Khiara LaBrie from Exeter/WG with 49%
Boys Hockey: Alex Tutsch from Toll Gate with 43%
Girls Hockey: Megan Belmont from Bishop Keough with 48%
Wrestling: Kenneth Murgo from Mt. Hope with 56%
Boys Swimming: Jeff Winters from E. Greenwich with 48%
Girls Swimming: Laura Sogar from Prout with 47%