- 1974 — Shirley Babashoff, swimming
- 1975 — Kathy Heddy, swimming
- 1976 — Sheila Young, speedskating
- 1977 — Linda Fratianne, figure skating
- 1978 — Tracy Caulkins, swimming
- 1979 — Cynthia Woodhead, swimming
- 1980 — Beth Heiden, speedskating
- 1981 — Sheila Young Ochowicz, cycling/speedskating
- 1982 — Melanie Smith, equestrian
- 1983 — Tamara McKinney, skiing
- 1984 — Tracy Caulkins, swimming
- 1985 — Mary Decker Slaney, athletics
- 1986 — Jackie Joyner-Kersee, athletics
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- 1987 — Jackie Joyner-Kersee, athletics
- 1988 — Florence Griffith Joyner, athletics
- 1989 — Janet Evans, swimming
- 1990 — Lynn Jennings, athletics
- 1991 — Kim Zmeskal, gymnastics
- 1992 — Bonnie Blair, speedskating
- 1993 — Gail Devers, athletics
- 1994 — Bonnie Blair, speedskating
- 1995 — Picabo Street, skiing
- 1996 — Amy Van Dyken, swimming
- 1997 — Tara Lipinski, figure skating
- 1998 — Picabo Street, skiing
- 1999 — Jenny Thompson, swimming
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- 2000 — Marion Jones, athletics
- 2001 — Jennifer Capriati, tennis
- 2002 — Sarah Hughes, figure skating
- 2003 — Michelle Kwan, figure skating
- 2004 — Carly Patterson, gymnastics
- 2005 — Katie Hoff, swimming
- 2006 — Hannah Teter, snowboarding
- 2007 — Katie Hoff, swimming
- 2008 — Natalie Coughlin, swimming and Nastia Liukin, gymnastics
- 2009 — Lindsey Vonn, alpine skiing
- 2010 — Lindsey Vonn, alpine skiing
- 2011-12 — Allyson Felix, track & field
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