I'm torn when it comes to the mod's choice. On one hand the obvious meaning of it is that it is indeed the icon the mod liked the most. So, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going for exactly that.
On the other hand it would be an opportunity to either choose a "best of the rest" icon, so to speak, or to choose one as encouragement for an icon-maker you see potential in. Or an unusual technique, crop or whatever used that made the icon unique from all the others.
Once again, thank you for bringing this new icon-contest to life and all the hard work you put in.