DeKALB — Voting for the Huskies 2018 Play of the Year is now open, and the winner will be announced at The Victors award ceremony 7 p.m. Thursday at the Sandburg Auditorium.

The nominees include six of NIU’s greatest moments throughout the 2017-18 school year.

Former track star Hope Schmelzle-Hoffman’s historical accomplishment as the Huskies’ first All-American in track & field during the 2017-18 season was respectfully nominated.

Former cornerback Shawun Lurry’s 87-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Huskies’ 21-17 win Sept. 16 at Nebraska is among the nominations after it was featured on Sports Center’s top plays.

Kelly Smith, women’s basketball senior forward’s game-winner for NIU’s 96-94 home win Nov. 18 over Western Illinois made the cut as a nominee.

Eugene German, men’s basketball sophomore guard, also knocked in a game-winner for the 90-88 victory on Feb. 10 against the Mid-American Conference Champion University of Buffalo and is one of the nominees.

Freshman Nolan Baker represents the wrestling team for his pin victory March 3 against No. 4 ranked Justin Oliver in the 149-pound class at the MAC Championships.

Junior gymnast Anna Martucci’s outstanding school record of 9.975 in NIU’s 195.725-194.400 win March 4 over Western Michigan at home rounded out the final of the top-six nominated plays.

Voting for the semifinalists will remain open on the NIU Athletics’ website until 12 a.m. May 1.

The top two plays will then be voted on through the @NIUAthletics Twitter page from noon to 7:30 p.m. May 3, and the winning play will be announced at The Victors ceremony.