USC women’s golfer sophomore Jennifer Song and current USC volunteer assistant swimming coach and 2009 graduate Rebecca Soni are among 14 semifinalists for the 80th annual AAU Sullivan Award, USC announced today. The award is presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union and honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.

The James E. Sullivan Award was first presented in 1930 and is based on leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism. The award is based on accomplishments during 2009.

In 2009, Song became the first woman in 21 years, and only the second woman ever, to win two U.S. Golf Association Championships in the same season, winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links in June and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in August. In her seven collegiate events as a freshman, she finished in the top 2 five times, including a second place finish at the NCAA Championships. In the fall of 2009, Song won her first two collegiate tournaments as a sophomore.

Rebecca Soni followed her 2008 Olympic gold medal winning year with a gold medal in the 100m breast at the 2009 World Championships and silver in the 50m breast. At USC before graduating in June, Soni won her fifth and sixth NCAA title in the 100y and 200y breast. She became the first woman ever to win an NCAA race four times with her fourth straight title in the 200y breast.

Other semifinalists include 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and track star Sanya Richards.

Finalists are determined by online voting here. Finalists will be announced by April 2 and the winner will be announced on April 14 in New York City.

Hear what Jennifer Song has to say about the award tonight on ATVN live at 6 pm on Trojan Vision 8 or catch the live stream on http://www.trojanvision.com.