2025 Milward Simpson Award Finalists Announced
The ten finalists for the 2025 Milward Simpson Award were revealed on Monday. They are from eight high schools around the state and represent three of the four classifications in Wyoming High School sports. This honor is given to the most outstanding female and male student-athletes in the state. It is considered the most prestigious award a prep athlete can earn in their high school career.
Milward Simpson Athlete of the Year Award Finalists in 2025
This year’s honor, the 50th, will be presented at a luncheon on June 21, 2025, in Cody. Each finalist is honored with a plaque. The two winners also receive an additional plaque to be displayed at their high school.
The student-athletes nominated for the 2025 award participated in basketball, football, indoor track, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
Congratulations to this year’s Simpson Award Finalists.
GIRLS FINALISTS
McKinlee Covolo, Mountain View High School
Covolo was an all-state performer in volleyball and basketball and participated in track and field at Mountain View HS. She helped the Buffalos win the Class 3A volleyball state championship in 2022 and 2023. Covolo was honored as the Southwest District Senior Student-Athlete of the Year for Girls in 2024-25. She was also a finalist for the Bob Carey Award.
Izzy Kelly, Cheyenne Central High School
Kelly was an all-state volleyball, basketball, and softball player for the Indians. Kelly helped Central win the 2025 Class 4A girls’ basketball state championship in March. She also led the Indians to two runner-up finishes at the state softball championships. Kelly helped Central to two appearances at the 4A girls’ basketball state tournament and three appearances at the state softball championships.
Lauren Olsen, Douglas High School
Olsen was an all-state performer in volleyball, basketball, and soccer at DHS. She earned eight first-team all-state awards from the Wyoming Coaches Association. She was named the 3A volleyball Player of the Year in 2024 and was a two-time 3A East girls’ basketball Player of the Year winner. Olsen led Douglas to the Class 3A girls’ basketball state championship all four years of her prep career. She led the Bearcats to the 3A volleyball state title in the fall of 2024. DHS was third at the 3A state soccer tournament this spring.
Karson Tempel, Cheyenne Central High School
Tempel was an all-state basketball player and track and field athlete in her time at Central High School. She led the Indians to the Class 4A girls’ basketball state championship in 2025. Karson was all-state in both basketball and track and field. She was a two-time 4A girls’ triple jump state champion in 2023 and 2024. Karson finished runner-up in 2025. She participated in the state track meet all four years of her prep career and helped the Indians to two 4A girls’ basketball state tournament appearances.
Laynee Walker, Kemmerer High School
Walker earned all-state honors in volleyball, wrestling, and track and field at KHS. She received six all-state awards during her prep career. Walker was the 115-pound wrestling state champion in 2025. She won the 2A girls’ pole vault with a class record at the state track championships. She won ten state titles at the outdoor track state championships and was a four-time state qualifier during her high school career. She wrestled at the state championships all three years and added a runner-up at 120 in 2024. Walker helped the Rangers to an appearance at the 2022 Class 2A volleyball state tournament and was a four-year letter-winner.
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BOYS FINALISTS
Jase Burton, Star Valley High School
Burton was an all-state cross-country, indoor, and outdoor track performer at SVHS. He won the 4A cross country state championship last fall with the fastest time in the state and course record at 15:46.6. Burton helped Star Valley win its third consecutive 4A team title. He earned three all-state awards in cross-country. He won the 2025 Class 4A Indoor Track state championship in the 1600 and 3200 meters with state record times. Jase earned three all-state awards in indoor track during his prep career. He won the 1600 and 3200 meters at the 4A outdoor track state championships. Burton set a new overall state record in the 3200 meters. He also helped SVHS win the 4x800-meter relay in a new state record.
Kelten Crow, Sheridan High School
Crow was all-state in football, wrestling, and soccer at SHS. He helped the Broncs win the 4A football state championship all four years of his prep career. He was all-state on offense at running back and defense at linebacker for the Broncs in 2024. Kelten was one of three players who shared the Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year honor last fall. Crow won the Class 4A 175-pound wrestling state championship with an undefeated season at 52-0. He also won a title in 2023 at 160 pounds. Crow helped Sheridan take second at the 4A boys’ soccer state tournament this year after third-place finishes the previous two seasons. He led the Broncs in scoring with 12 goals. The Broncs were regional champions and tied for first in the 4A East Conference.
Chance Morris, Sheridan High School
Morris was all-state in indoor track and outdoor track at SHS. He also played football for the Broncs and helped them win four Class 4A state championships during his career. Morris earned all-conference honors as a wide receiver for Sheridan. Chance won the 2025 Class 4A state title in the 55-meter dash and 200 meters at the Wyoming High School Indoor Track State Championships in March. He tied the state record in the 55-meter and set a new state record in the 200. He helped the Broncs win their second straight 4A boys’ indoor track team state title. Morris won four individual state championships in outdoor track over the last two years. He won the 100 and 200 meters as a junior and senior. He set state records in both events as a junior in 2024. Morris helped the Broncs repeat as 4A boys’ team champions in 2025.
Raynor Ranum, Campbell County High School
Ranum was an all-state award winner in football, indoor track, and outdoor track at CCHS. He was an all-state performer on the gridiron last fall and helped the Camels to a 9-2 record and semifinal appearance in the 4A football playoffs. He led Class 4A with seven sacks and was second with 14 tackles for loss. In indoor track, Raynor won two 4A championships in the shot put. He has won three state titles in outdoor track at the state track meet. Ranum won two crowns in the shot put and one in the discus. He earned five all-state awards across three sports.
Tommy Wonka, Buffalo High School
Wonka was all-state in swimming and soccer at BHS. He also played football for the Bison. Tommy won three straight Class 3A breaststroke state titles. His time of 55.09 during his senior season in 2025 earned automatic All-American honors. Wonka also won the 200 IM at the 3A state championships and was on Buffalo’s first-place 200 medley relay in 2025. He helped the Bison finish second in the team standings. Wonka was named the 3A Boys’ Swimming Athlete of the Year. He was a two-time all-state award recipient on the pitch. He helped Buffalo win the Class 3A boys’ soccer state title in 2025. He led the Bison with 13 goals this spring. Wonka led Buffalo in rushing last fall and was fourth in all-purpose yards. He scored two TDs and kicked one field goal.
48th Milward Simpson Awards Ceremony 2023
Gallery Credit: David Settle, WyoPreps.com
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