Dec. 7, 2012

BERKELEY - .S. Olympic star and California signee Missy Franklin is in the running for yet another accolade: the United States Sports Academy (USSA) Female Athlete of the Year award. The Olympic gold medalist - who signed a National Letter of Intent in November to swim for Cal - is among 12 candidates in various sports up for the award. Online voting will determine the winner, and fans can vote here through midnight ET on Dec. 21.

This is the 28th consecutive year the USSA will name an Athlete of the Year, an award that recognizes the most outstanding male and female athlete based on his and her performances throughout the year.

At just 17-years-old, Franklin qualified for seven events heading into the 2012 Olympic Games - something no other American female swimmer had ever done. While in London, Franklin set an Olympic and American record in the 100-meter backstroke and set two world records - one in the 400-meter medley relay and the other in the 200-meter backstroke en route to winning five medals, four of which were gold.

The Academy, in conjunction with NBC Sports, will announce the 2012 Male and Female Athletes of the Year on Christmas Day on Tuesday, Dec. 25.