"Anthony Sledwards" was named this year's winner for the metro area in the Minnesota Department of Transportation's annual Name a Snowplow contest, a nod to the Minnesota Timberwolves' superstar.

Gov. Tim Walz named the winners on Wednesday, saying he was "always thrilled that Minnesotans are this clever."

The contest, now in its fifth year and mimicked by several other states nationwide, is an opportunity to highlight the work of the state's 1,600 snowplow operators across the state.

"These are the folks who are out there at the worst time to make sure everyone's safe to travel on our roads," Walz said.

In December, MnDOT invited people to submit creative snowplow names and more than 7,300 submissions were ultimately received. MnDOT staff narrowed the list to 50 finalists for the public to vote.

Statewide, MnDOT now has 44 named snowplows, including Plowy McPlowFace, Betty Whiteout, and Taylor Drift, monikers chosen in previous years.

Alex Kormann, The Minnesota Star Tribune
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz greets snowplow drivers in front of the newly named “Anthony Sledwards” snowplow.

Other winners for 2024-2025 include:

We're Off To See The Blizzard – District 8 (Southwest Minnesota)

Snowtorious B.I.G. – District 4 (West Central Minnesota)

Plowabunga! – District 6 (Southeast Minnesota)

You're Welcome – District 2 (Northeast Minnesota)

Don'tcha Snow – District 3 (Central Minnesota)

Skol Plow – District 1 (Northeast Minnesota)

I Came, I Thaw, I Conquered – District 7 (South Central Minnesota)