Rawlins?

Newcastle??

as for some others Hulett, Moorcroft, Wright, Upton, Guernsey, Kaycee, Shoshoni, Riverside, Hanna Elk Mountain, Saratoga, Glendo, Rock River....and they are all just guesses

Not Rawlins -- Rawlins has actually had seven finalists.

Not Newcastle -- Newc's had two, Valerie Thorson in 2000 and Beth Bratton in 1982.

Chad has some good guesses.... several of the 15 are in there. Not the biggest, though.

--patrick

Lyman??

Others: Hulett, Wright, WIHS, Shoshoni, Midwest, Riverside, Normative Service, :), Glenrock, Guernsey, Saratoga, Big Horn, Farson, St Stephens, Kaycee

Not Lyman -- Lyman's had two, including Wil Isom two years ago.

Wolverine, you've nailed a couple more in your other guesses, but again, no one has touched the biggest.

I'm headed out for about an hour, so any guesses between now and then will have to wait until I get back.

--patrick

Star Valley? Don't think we have had one? could be wrong!! I often am.

Not Star Valley -- Star Valley has had four, all boys, including Andrew McKen a couple years ago.

By the way, I'm back.

--patrick

I need to read the question more closely, You said "finalist" not winner. LOL

Jackson Hole

Not Jackson -- Jackson has had a combined seven between the boys and girls, but none since the '80s.

Glenrock

(except maybe Steve Roe and Jake Hager were up for it)

Nevermind, I missed the second post with a bunch of names.

How about . . .


Thermopolis

Not Glenrock -- Glenrock has a combined five, including Hager back in the day and Josie Stewart last year.

Not Thermopolis -- Thermop's had five, most recently Nathan Miller.

Pinedale or Big Piney.

gtown is halfway right...

Then it must be Big Piney?

cuz . . .

Wasn't Dale Reed from Pinedale? I would assume he was up for the award.

Not Big Piney.

OK, we're close enough. It's Pinedale.

The other 14: Arapaho, Chugwater, Dubois, Fort Washakie, Glendo, Hanna, Hulett, Midwest, Moorcroft, Normative Services, Rock River, St. Stephens, Ten Sleep, Upton.

Reed was from Snake River and yes, he was a finalist, as well.

--patrick

I am a bit surprised Upton has not had one. Tucker Tonkel was a good athlete, but maybe too one dimensional (not sure what he did other than track). They have had a good athletic program over the years. Good team play, but no outstanding individuals apparently.

Burke, I agree about Upton. They have a great athletic program in Upton. I am surprised they have never had a finalist, as they have had many outstanding athletes over the years. Having grown up not far away, I can say with certainty that Upton and Moorcroft have had some worthy candidates. A few names from the two include: Mirich, Ellis, Upton, Gill, Schiller, Peterson and a few others I know I am missing.

Not sure why being one dimensional should matter, since this year and last year the male athlete receiving the award was pretty one dimensional. I think there were some comments on this blog last year about that. Thought maybe the committee would get back on track with what the award is truly all about. (not trying to take anything away from the trememdous athlete that Michel is)

Patrick, do you have a link to a complete list of finalist and winners for each year? What year did this award start?

Bulldog Fan I agree with you. The following is the bio for Stephen Michel and it says he played basketball and lettered in football but according to Wyopreps, he wasn't on either roster his senior year. I can't blame him though, he is a tremendous track athlete. Why take a chance of getting injured. If the award is to go to the "outstanding athlete" then perhaps it could have gone to Cody Emerick or one of the other athletes, but I think the fact that Stephen is going to UW might have been the deciding factor. I think Patrick was on the committee so maybe he can give some insight. The best person in one sport certainly doesn't make him/her the most outstanding athlete. Not sure of the criteria. None the less, congrats to Stephen and Kristen.
The following is from Wyopreps.com
Stephen Michel, Laramie High School Michel won eight letters and six all-state awards in three sports. His forte was track. In outdoor track, he won five state championships, including four his senior year (100, 200, long jump, triple jump). He set overall state meet records in the 100, 200 and triple jump as a senior and also won the triple jump as a junior. In indoor track, he won six state championships and swept the 55, 200, triple jump and long jump as a senior; he won the triple jump and 200 as a junior. He also had six combined state runner-up finishes in the indoor and outdoor seasons. He will participate in track at UW. He also lettered in football and played basketball. Stephen is the son of Suzanne and Richard Michel.

Also Bulldog fan, if you check closely , once again not to take anything away from Stephen, the bio says he won six all-state awards in 3 sports. According to the Wyoming Coaches Association he has only won 3 all-state awards in one sport...Track. He hasn't won all-state in:Football, basketball, swimming, tennis, soccer or cross country. There may be a sport I am missing. I know I have way too much free time on my hands but thought you might want to know. I am sure the selection committees check all these things out.

Don't put too much merit into the WCA web-site. It’s full of inaccuracies. My son made all-state tennis this last season and his name isn't listed. He received his all-state certificate, and I even e-mailed them last November about the oversight on the web-site. They agreed he made all-state, but still haven't fixed the web-site. At quick glance I see at least 6 names missing from the '07 all-state tennis list. And just because the WCA don't list Indoor Track doesn't make it any less of a sport. It’s sanctioned by WHSAA. The only reason Stephen didn't win more events in T&F was because of the 4 event limit. The WYO HS T&F limits use to be 3 running events, no limit on the number of field events, and 1 relay. Some people even consider the best T&F decathlete as the “Greatest Athlete.” Stephen Michal would be very good in the decathlon. What I saw this year Stephen Michal was easily the best boy athlete in the state.

You are right tmillerwyo. Several inaccuracies. I just wondered what three sports he received all-state in. Its no big deal. He is very deserving of the award. My goodness, you must really get around the state if you can truly base your opinion on what you saw. Indoor track is sanctioned by the WHSAA so I thought maybe that could have been the other all-state award he received...Track

I agree with tmillerwyo on the inaccuracies. I have noticed some, too. I read articles about the nominees in several publications and on several websites. Some places did some of their own editing it appears.
I also feel that the fact that Michel is going to UW played a part in the decision.

This blurb is from the Lifetime Achievement award information posted for the Simpson Family this year. It is very specific when it says what the award is for and why the athlete is honored. It says "one who has excelled at a number of different sports".
Each sport has it's own top honors and most of these kids received one or more of those. The Simpson award is supposed to be the grandaddy of them all based on the criteria set forth by the family.



The Simpson Family

Since 1976 the Milward Simpson Award, given annually to a graduating senior male and female athlete, has been synonymous with the best all-around high-school athlete in the state.

Three members of a distinguished Wyoming family - the father for whom the award is named and his two sons who created it - will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Milward Simpson was a three-sport letterman at UW, and his sons, Peter Simpson and Alan K. Simpson, wanted his legacy as one of Wyoming's greatest athletes to live on.

They established the Milward Simpson Outstanding High School Athlete Award. It has been awarded for 32 consecutive years, emphasizing the all-around athlete, one who has excelled at a number of different sports.

I don't know what 3 sports they could be. I know in the past rodeo and baseball accomplishments have been mentioned. Maybe they meant 3 sport seasons, or it might just be a mis-print.

I'm sure I didn't see as many athletes as Patrick did, but for a person that has a non-sports related job I saw more than my fair share. This past year I watched the North regional tennis (Casper), state tennis (Cheyenne & SE FB at Pine Bluffs that same weekend), 1st 2 rounds of 2A FB playoffs (Big Horn), 1A FB state championship (Torrington), both championship BB weekends (Casper), East 4A Regional Wrestling (Sheridan), WYO Classic and State T&F (Casper). Plus alot of regular seaon Tennis, FB, BB, and T&F in Sheridan (& Johnson) county, which gives me a look at many athletes from various classifications. In the past I've also hit state CC (Douglas), Indoor Track (Laramie) and Wrestling (Casper). Also, T&F results aren't as ambiguous in print as individual-stats from team sports.

Milward Simpson Award
Winners listed first, finalists in parenthesis

Girls
2008 -- Kristen Scheffler, Lovell (Chelsey Lybeck, Cheyenne Central; Jordan Merback, Kelly Walsh; Maggie Ochsner, Lingle; Kelsey Scott, Douglas)
2007 -- Hillary Carlson, Cheyenne Central (Amanda Aimone, Kemmerer; Randa Clabaugh, Arvada-Clearmont; Amber Micheli, Mountain View; Josie Stewart, Glenrock)
2006 -- Tahnee Robinson, Lander (Sarah Conner, Guernsey; Devon Crotteau, Kelly Walsh; Stacy Slight, Cody; Stephanie Stender, Sheridan)
2005 -- Megan McGuffey, Cheyenne East (Sarah Balfour, Natrona; Ashley Fornstrom, Cheyenne Central; Alysia Kraft, Encampment; Jamie Schroeder, Douglas)
2004 -- Angie Hellbaum, Wheatland (Shaylee Babbitt, Southeast; Shelby Heggie, Laramie; Tori Runner, Saratoga; Betsy Snead, Gillette).
2003 -- Kristen Newlin, Riverton (Jennifer Gard, Riverton; Amanda Hopper, Kelly Walsh; Maria McNiven, Burlington; Tiffany Rochelle, Kelly Walsh).
2002 -- Katie Cox, Big Horn (Leah Burke, Cheyenne East; Jaci Heny, Powell; Kelly Werner, Worland; Brittanie Saunders, Douglas)
2001 -- Kelsey Wicks, Gillette (Alicia Craig, Gillette; Meggie Malyurek, Big Horn; Shauna Smith, Sheridan; Teri Trautwein, Wheatland)
2000 -- Elizabeth Brown, Thermopolis (Julie Geldien, Natrona; Alison Luchsinger, Lusk; Jessica Neumiller, Natrona; Valorie Thorson, Newcastle).
1999 -- Elisa Butler, Wright (Ashley Despain, Kelly Walsh; Shannon Rigg, Worland; JoAnn Doyle, Sheridan; Jessica Bachman, Gillitte).
1998 -- Cheryl Harmon, Green River (Blakelee Binning, Torrington; Sunny Guild, Mountain View; Lorraine Morrison, Kelly Walsh; Jenny Watkins, Lander).
1997 -- Ana-Maria Ortega, Green River (Farah McDill, Gillette; Lisa Walters, Kelly Walsh; Kara Calvert, Riverton; Stephanie Laya, Tongue River).
1996 -- Kristy Johnson, Powell (Megan Addy, Evanston; Darcy Walker, Mountain View; Lezlee Weedin, Cody; Jessica Zehr, Green River).
1995 -- Kerri Maxfield, Lyman (Tennyson Ballek, Sheridan; Abby Bowers, Worland; Jami Laya, Tongue River; Cori McDill, Gillette).
1994 -- Anne Marie Stohrer, Buffalo (Erin Dowler, Natrona; Jan Gilpatrick, Cody; Erika Holladay, Pine Bluffs; Misty Tabke, Burns).
1993 -- Jessica Cross, Powell (Riki Ackerson, Kaycee; Jenna Blair, Rocky Mountain; Jennifer Elliot, Buffalo; Heather Ladd, Pine Bluffs).
1992 -- Becky Kopsa, Sheridan (Jackie Bridgeman, Laramie; Jamie McFadden, Rock Springs; Wendy Neuman, Rawlins; Adrienne Prosser, Lovell).
1991 -- Marcee Owens, Natrona (Wendy Anderson, Cokeville; Stephanie Harris, Riverton; Angel Nickelson, Riverton; Erica Wymore, Gillette).
1990 -- Dusti Hladky, Gillette (Nikki Baldwin, Riverton; Jeanne Buchanan, Riverside; Jennifer DeVore, Natrona; Becky Routh, Rock Springs).
1989 -- Jamie Crawford, Greybull (Kristy Andrews, Green River; Shelly Miyamoto, Rawlins; Missy Murdock, Natrona; Fawn Nelson, Worland).
1988 -- Tricia Montgomery, Riverton (Donna Bender, Sheridan; Debbie Jacobson, Evanston; Amanda Murdock, Kelly Walsh; Abby Sewchok, Powell).
1987 -- Jenelle Brown, Riverton (Marcy Befus, Riverton; Jamie Daugherty, Natrona; Tracy Russell, Douglas; Angie Sundquist, Green River).
1986 -- Shelly Thacker, Riverton (Carolyn DeHoff, East; Kelly Henry, Powell; Maggie Obe, Rawlins; Mary Ochard, Evanston).
1985 -- Francie Faure, Worland (Tonya Jorgenson, Douglas; Dawn Meidinger, Rawlins; Susan Sullins, Natrona; Liz Walters, Sheridan).
1984 -- Shelly Marlyst, Riverton (Gwen Bullinger, Central; Lisa Merrick, Natrona; Ronda Munger, Wheatland; Kristie Norris, Riverton).
1983 -- Joan Rangitsch, Kemmerer (Pam Bentzen, Sheridan; Diane Cider, Jackson; Connie Jensen, Natrona; Marilyn Tobin, Kelly Walsh).
1982 -- Mila Rogers, Sheridan (Beth Bratton, Newcastle; Kristi Brown, Wheatland; Diana Jones, Kelly Walsh; April Walden, Central).
1981 -- Brandy Brown, Rock Springs (Andrea Janicek, Pine Bluffs; Joan McIntosh, Jackson; Lori Mercer, Central; Chris Pierce, Natrona).
1980 -- Kathy Van Heule, Worland (Amy Carver, Mountain View; Lisa Leider, Central; Marci Milligan, Sheridan; Sheila Stauch, Kelly Walsh).
1979 -- Jan Browall, Lander (Chardale Dotson, Mountain View; Judy Johnson, Central; Suzy Shanor, East; Alesia Walser, Lander).
1978 -- Margaret Gonzalez, Torrington (Dorothy Glaser, Lander; Charlotte Langass, East; Lori Rayfield, Sheridan; Susan Stone, Jackson).
1977 -- Mary Faure, Worland (Denise Critchlow, Rock Springs; Carrie Cronkite, Torrington; Linda Schmidt, Meeteetse; Terri Schneider, Natrona).
1976 -- Debbie Norman, Buffalo (Lori Kipper, Laramie; Lorrie Reith, Thermopolis; Amy Sabo, Lander; Mary Soppe, Burns).

Boys
2008 -- Stephen Michel, Laramie (Cody Emrick, Sundance; Erik Heiss, Kelly Walsh; Skyler Hoopes, Lusk; Rob Johnson, Tongue River).
2007 -- Brendan Ames, Cheyenne Central (Justin Cross, Powell; Wil Isom, Lyman; Brandt Pickett, Central; Adam Waddell, Cody).
2006 -- Christopher Prosinski, Buffalo (John Camino, Buffalo; Brian Hill, Cheyenne Central; Andrew McKen, Star Valley; Trevor Ragan, Lander).
2005 -- Zeb Whipp, Lander (Casey Cutler, Green River; Graydon Curry, Gillette; Jason Gearhart, Buffalo; Nathan Miller, Thermopolis).
2004 -- Alex Obrecht, Cheyenne Central (Nathan Fiscus, Cokeville; Jake Morrison, Natrona County; Dustin Nelson, Lusk; Brett Tyrrell, Kemmerer).
2003 -- Mike Aimone, Kemmerer (Justin Barent, Worland; Wade Betschart, Torrington; Chris Horn, Tongue River; Ross Shaeffer, Kelly Walsh).
2002 -- Clint Oldenburg, Gillette (Jaycee Carroll, Evanston; Trevor Haley, Kelly Walsh; Austin Hall, Sheridan, Ben Stratton, Cheyenne East).
2001 -- Scott Muir, Rawlins (Jesse Brownell, Natrona; Adam Fitch, Gillette; Casey Fosher, Lusk; Branden Inman, Wind River).
2000 -- Jeff Martini, Sheridan (Kolby Drube, Gillette; Dan Stock, Central; Kiffin Wigert, Central; Zack Zawacki, Powell).
1999 -- Sundance Wicks, Gillette (Marcus Bailey, East; Casey Bramlet, Wheatland; Jacque Finn, Natrona; Ryan McGuffey, Riverton).
1998 -- Brady Poppinga, Evanston (Jon Aimone, Mountain View; Jered Harns, Farson; Toby Laird, Powell; Brian Zowada, Lusk).
1997 -- Brett Keisel, Greybull (Chris Newton, Buffalo; Rocky Kirk, Kelly Walsh; Matt Linford, Star Valley; Garth Warren, Torrington).
1996 -- Justin Hopkin, Burlington (Mark Curry, Kelly Walsh; Justin Gonzalez, Mountain View; Larry Groomes, Sheridan; Cassidy Westbrook, Cody).
1995 -- Corte McGuffey, Riverton (Andy Anderson, Natrona; Mark Hallock, Kelly Walsh; Josh Kalinowski, Natrona; Craig Lundberg, Lovell).
1994 -- Gregg Sawyer, Burns (Wes Davis, Evanston; Kirby Drube, Gillette; Ben Phillips, Sheridan; Jason Sanderson, Star Valley).
1993 -- Lee Vaughn, Cheyenne East (Eric Baker, Lander; Je'Ney Jackson, Guernsey; K.C. Lehr, Big Piney; Cody Sinclair, Thermopolis).
1992 -- Blaine Phillips, Sheridan (Dusty Carlson, Gillette; Seth Mischke, Worland; Brian Nate, Cokeville; Dan Toner, Kelly Walsh).
1991 -- Matt Stock, Cheyenne Central (Chris Caskey, Douglas; Brian Costello, Big Piney; Jake Hagar, Glenrock; Jim McCreery, Gillette).
1990 -- John Godina, Cheyenne Central (Eric Mapp, Natrona; Mike Rogers, Powell; Owen St. Clair, Wyoming Indian; Blaine Tate, Rock Springs).
1989 -- Dale Reed, Snake River (Wes Gamble, Wright; Lee Mayberry, East; Tony Nemitz, Powell; Marty Schad, Natrona).
1988 -- Ben Gose, Riverton (Corey Fullmer, Star Valley; Beckett Hinckley, Basin; Rod McKee, Douglas; Rich Van Deer, Cody).
1987 -- Cory Bruce, Green River (Tommy Massey, Lander; Gary McLean, Rock Springs; Matt Michael, Torrington; Jim Pehringer, Sheridan).
1986 -- Mike Lansing, Natrona (Eric Garwood, Lander; Cory Schinkle, Jackson; Jim Williams, Glenrock; David Zuniga, Worland).
1985 -- Jon Cogdill, Kemmerer (Will Black, Powell; Chris Hoppe, Kelly Walsh; Tom Kilpatrick, Sheridan; Mike Welsh, Green River).
1984 -- Mark Farmer, Powell (Joel Grace, Buffalo; Gordon Knopp, Central; David Petsch, Albin; Craig Young, Jackson).
1983 -- Tom Bayse, Jackson (Joe Dedic, Kelly Walsh; Dean Dick, Wheatland; Jim Dowse, Riverton; Sam Earl, Rawlins).
1982 -- Marty Eliopulos, Cheyenne Central (Craig Earl, Rawlins; Mike Graefe, Natrona; Jeff Mueller, East; Mike Paul, Evanston).
1981 -- Allyn Griffin, Kelly Walsh (Mike Devereaux, Kelly Walsh; Mike Johnson, Southeast-Goshen; Bruce Mowry, Kemmerer; Bryan Trebelcock, Buffalo).
1980 -- Tony Turner, Cheyenne Central (Russ Ackerman, Shoshoni; Tim Daniel, Riverton; John Easterbrook, Laramie; Clark Schwartzdopf, Kelly Walsh).
1979 -- Lance Deal, Natrona (Jock Brodie, Lander; Andy Chambers, Jackson; Rob Garrelts, Goshen Hole; Pat McLeod, Central).
1978 -- Mike Meas, Cody (Joe Jackson, Glenrock; Brad Pickett, Central; Jerry Pilch, Sheridan; Kevin Ryan, Saratoga).
1977 -- Gerald Mattinson, Rock Springs (Jim Eliopulos, Central; Jim Hill, Natrona; Larry Miller, Glenrock; Robbie Russell, Cody; Kelly Wilson, Wheatland).
1976 -- Robbie Cragoe, Riverton (Larry Deal, Natrona; Kevin Perry, Buffalo; J.D. Sollars, Lander; Tom Zupan, Thermopolis).

big bb fan, you'll see the same bios posted here. As a member of the selection committe, I wrote them and distributed them to media statewide.

Stephen Michel lettered in football, indoor track and outdoor track. He was all-state in indoor track and outdoor track. Sorry if the bio created some confusion.

As a member of the Simpson Award committee, I can tell you that the award is designed to be given to the best all-around athlete. I will say that the sanctioning of indoor track has changed how track-only athletes are viewed, because now they have two separate sanctioned seasons in which to be recognized.

If you have specific questions about this year's selection process, please e-mail me at patrick.schmiedt@trib.com.

--patrick

I apologize to Stephen. All this seems to "cheapen" his receiving this award. It is well deserved. Enough said from me. Congratulations to him.

tmillerwyo, I think your son won the consolation bracket in the #1 doubles. WCA all-state tennis teams are awarded by the following criteria:
The all-state tennis team is based on the athletes' finish at the state tennis match. The team will consist of the athletes who finish first, second, third and forth place in Singles Bracket #1, first, second and third place in Singles Bracket #2 first and second place in Double Bracket #1, and the first place finishers in Double Brackets #2 and #3.
Your son was all-state but not listed because of this format. Had they finish 1st or 2nd, they would have been listed. Also, that is probably why the other 6 or so all-staters were not listed that you know of. I wish I could have seen as much action as you did. That would have been fun.

As a former board member of the Wyoming Coaches Association, and in fact in charge of updating the all-state awards since the inception of the WCA website until this past school year, I can tell you that the WCA has specific numbers and requirements for all-state awards in every sport. In fact, the by-laws even insist that ties be broken on all-state teams that are voted on by coaches. Believe me, the board tries to be very accurate on their listing of the WCA all-state awards. If you visit the Wyoming Coaches Association web site, you can find the criteria for those awards. I cannot tell you that there have been no mistakes, but again, the WCA makes every attempt to honor all of the deserving athletes who qualify via the criteria for the all-state awards.

Indoor Track and Field on WCA web site:

The WCA has recognized all-state athletes in indoor track and field ever since the WHSAA sanctioned the sport in 2006. Those members are also listed on the WCA web site and those athletes received their WCA all-state awards.

About the accuracy of WCA web-site, (Kevin) I know people make mistakes and I don't believe the WCA is trying to cheat anyone. But there are still mistakes that aren't being proofed (and fixed). First, in BB I know Southeast didn't play in 1A and 2A last season, so they shouldn't have boys in both all-state classifications. Secondly, if the all-state criteria in tennis is correct then the boys 2nd place team #1 doubles is missing (Natrona) and 2nd place in #2 and #3 doubles shouldn’t be listed. And finally (big bb fan) it appears the criteria for all-state tennis changed last year according the awards given at the state championship awards ceremony (and the SHS coach and verified by Mark Miessler), which added 3rd place #1 doubles and 2nd place #2 & #3 doubles. All my point was don't judge a kid's athleticism because his name is or isn't on a web-site.

tmiller, I hope your son wins it all next year and gets his name printed on the web site. I am sure it was in the Sheridan Press for your scrapbook. I wonder if the Hanson family emailed the WCA. Luckily folks in 2A knew where he played. Champions!

Just looking over the lists Patrick posted, which year seems strongest? For my best year of male athletes, I'm going to be a homer and go with the year I graduated - 1999. For the girls year? 2001. Easily.

The strongest year for boys I'm going to say was 1981 (I know that dates me). That group of athletes weren't just single sport stars, but all-around great athletes that earned at least 14 total all-state honors their senior year (not counting Legion BB). All competed at the Meet of Champions in T&F and all were FB Shrine Bowl selections, but the KW kids missed the Shrine Bowl to win the state Legion BB championship (which was their 4th team state championship that year).

But for the girls I have to agree with Sam about year 2001 (particularly in hind sight).

On strongest years, it's easy to forget anyone over 10 years. 1994 boys had Greg Sawyer, who is one of my all-time favorite b-ball players for the Pokes, and Jason Sanderson who started three seasons for Air Force in football, that's pretty stout right there.

You want (1981 boys finalist) their post-HS accomplishments: Griffin (WYO FB & 8th round NFL draft), Devereaux (ASU BB & 12 year MLB career), Johnson (EWC BB & NAIA FB in NE - 2-time all-conference), Mowry (WYO FB - 7th on career tackle list), and Trebelcock (MSU T&F).