Molly Hays and Dane Steel Win Milward Simpson Awards 2024

Molly Hays from Cody and Dane Steel of Sheridan were named the 49th annual and 2024 Milward Simpson Award winners on Saturday at an awards luncheon in Cody. This is considered the most prestigious award a prep student-athlete can receive from their high school career. One girl and one boy are chosen from five girls and five boys finalists. The award started in 1976.

2024 MILWARD SIMPSON AWARD WINNERS

Hays is the second straight and second overall female winner from Cody High School. She joins Kennedi Niemann, who won last year’s honor. Steel is the fifth winner from Sheridan High School. He joins Blaine Phillips (1992), Jeff Martini (2000), Austin Woodward (2010), and Parker Christensen (2019) as past winners from SHS.

WyoPreps spoke with both Ms. Hays and Mr. Steel after the celebration. Both were very appreciative and reflected on their prep careers, being a multi-sport athlete, and much more.

MILWARD SIMPSON GIRLS WINNER

Molly Hays earned multiple letters in volleyball, basketball, and soccer at Cody High School. She was a four-time all-conference and two-time all-state selection on the volleyball court. She led Class 4A in service aces twice and assists. Hays led the Fillies to a 4A runner-up and third-place finishes. Molly was the runner-up for the Gatorade Wyoming Volleyball award and was chosen for the Wyoming Coaches’ Association All-Star match in July. On the basketball court, Hays was the Gatorade Wyoming Girls Basketball Player of the Year two times, WyoPreps.com Athlete of the Year for Girls’ Basketball in 2023-24, all-state and all-conference four times, and the 4A Player of the Year. She helped Cody to a 4A State Championship and two runner-up finishes. Hays led 4A in steals twice and free-throw percentage once. She was a two-time defensive player of the year selection. She was also chosen a top 20-point guard in the nation by Sports Illustrated. She was selected to play in the Wyoming-Montana All-Star basketball series. On the soccer pitch, Hays was a midfielder who helped the Fillies to two state championships and one second-place finish. A basketball injury sidelined her for her senior season, but Molly added her leadership to the soccer team as their manager. Hays was chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Wilford Mower Award. She will attend Idaho State University on a basketball scholarship and plans to pursue a degree in Speech Pathology.

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MILWARD SIMPSON BOYS WINNER

Dane Steel earned multiple letters in football, wrestling, and soccer at Sheridan High School. He was an all-state and all-conference selection as a defensive back, kick returner, and wide receiver three times on the gridiron. He was selected as the 4A Defensive Player of the Year two times, the 4A Offensive Player of the Year, and the 4A Return Specialist. He was the 2023-24 Gatorade Wyoming Football Player of the Year, the WyoPreps.com Athlete of the Year for Football in 2023-24, a Super 25 Team selection and Offensive Player of the Year, and MaxPreps Player of the Year award. He was a member of three Class 4A state championship football teams with the Broncs and played for the North in the annual Wyoming Shrine Bowl All-Star football game. In wrestling, Steel won three state championships at three different weight classes during his prep career. He was a three-time all-state award winner. In his senior season, Steel wrestled at 160 pounds and went undefeated (49-0). On the national stage, he was an NHSCSA National finalist three times and was named an All-American three times. He was a member of Sheridan’s state championship and runner-up teams. On the soccer field, Steel was chosen all-state three times and was part of Sheridan’s state runner-up and three third-place teams in Class 4A. He plans to attend Montana State University on a football scholarship.