Lauren Olsen and Jase Burton React to Winning the 2025 Milward Simpson Award [VIDEO]
Lauren Olsen from Douglas and Jase Burton of Star Valley were named the winners of the 2025 Milward Simpson Award last Saturday in Cody. Olsen is the first to receive the honor from Douglas High School, and Burton is the second from Star Valley High School. WyoPreps visited with the 2025 winners to get their reaction, what it means to them, and have them reflect on their prep careers.
2025 Milward Simpson Award Reactions
Olsen won five team state championships and earned eight first-team all-state awards in volleyball, basketball, and soccer during her high school career. She holds the Wyoming state record for most points scored in a prep basketball career, girls and boys, with 2,690 points. She signed in November 2024 to continue her academic and athletic career at California Baptist University in Riverside, CA. Olsen will play basketball for the Lancers.
Burton won five individual state titles, was part of three relay state titles, and was on three team state championships in cross-country at SVHS. He achieved All-America honors in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track during the 2024-25 school year. Burton earned 13 all-state awards in his prep career. After serving on a mission to Peru, he will continue his academic and athletic career at BYU. He joined Peter Visser, who was the 2021 Milward Simpson Award winner, as the only two honorees from SVHS. Burton was unable to attend the ceremony. He was competing at the New Balance Nationals outdoor track meet in Philadelphia last weekend. WyoPreps caught up with him upon his return to the state.
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Four of the five girls' finalists were in attendance. Those were Olsen, plus McKinlee Covolo, Izzy Kelly, and Laynee Walker. Karson Tempel was unable to attend. Only two of the boys' finalists were in Cody. That was Kelten Crow and Tommy Wonka. Burton was represented by his cross-country and track coach, Ty Draney. Chance Morris was represented by his mother, and Raynor Ranum was represented by his parents.
The Milward Simpson Award is considered the highest honor a prep athlete can earn in their high school career in Wyoming. The prestigious award is presented annually to the outstanding female and male high school senior in the Cowboy State in honor of a man who gave a great deal to the youth of Wyoming. After careful consideration of all nominated athletes, the Simpson Selection Committee selects 10 finalists, five girls and five boys, and then one overall female and male winner.
WyoPreps has a large batch of photos from the 2025 Simpson Award luncheon. Those are below, enjoy!
Milward Simpson Award 2025
Gallery Credit: David Settle, WyoPreps.com
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