Middle Creek senior Rashawn King, who returned to sports this year as his leukemia is in remission, has been named one of 12 national finalists for PARADE Magazine's Rudy Award.

The Rudy Award is given to young athletes who inspire and motivate teammates, classmates and the community.

King was diagnosed with leukemia last summer after his sophomore basketball season and spent five weeks undergoing chemotherapy and kidney dialysis.

He missed all of last year but returned to football this fall.

He ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns for the Tri-Nine Conference-champion Mustangs.

The awards are named for Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who was immortalized in the 1993 film "Rudy," starring Sean Astin.

The Rudy Award winner will receive a $7,500 college academic scholarship. The four runners-up each will receive $2,500, while the athlete who receives the most online votes - the "fan favorite" - will receive $1,500.

The remaining six finalists will receive $1,000 each.

All national finalists will be featured in the Jan. 15 issue of PARADE alongside the 2012 PARADE All-America high school football team.