Talich and Haswell are the 51st Milward Simpson Award Winners

Ellie Talich from Cody and Sheridan’s Beck Haswell were selected as the 51st annual and 2026 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 the five girls’ and five boys’ finalists. The award started in 1976.

WYOPREPS 2026 MILWARD SIMPSON AWARDS RECAP

Talich is the third female winner from Cody. The Fillies have produced three of the last four Simpson winners on the girls’ side. She joins Molly Hays (2024) and Kennedi Niemann (2023) from CHS. Haswell is the sixth winner from Sheridan High School. He joins Blaine Phillips (1992), Jeff Martini (2000), Austin Woodward (2010), Parker Christensen (2019), and Dane Steel (2023) as past SHS winners.

WyoPreps will have a photo gallery and video interviews with the winners on Monday or Tuesday, June 22 or 23. The Simpson Award program bio for the 2026 winners is below.

MILWARD SIMPSON GIRLS WINNER: Ellie Talich

Ellie Talich earned multiple varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and soccer in her four years at Cody High School. Talich was a two-time all-state and all-conference selection on the volleyball court. She was named Rookie of the Year her freshman season with the Fillies. Ellie was an integral member of her team’s success, placing second at the 3A volleyball state tournament three times and third place once. In basketball, Talich was a 3A all-state and 3A West all-conference selection three times during her prep career. She was also named Rookie of the Year her freshman season of hoops. During her four-year career, Cody was dominant in basketball. They finished third once, were state runner-up once, and won the 3A state title two times. On the pitch, Ellie was chosen 3A all-state and 3A West all-conference all four years. She was the Rookie of the Year as a freshman and Underclassman of the Year her sophomore campaign. Talich was a finalist for the Gatorade Wyoming Girls Soccer Player of the Year Award during high school. She was an integral member of a Filly squad that dominated 3A. Cody was runner-up once and the 3A state champion three times. During her illustrious career, Talich played in 10 state championship games and won five state titles. Ellie will attend Black Hills State University on a soccer scholarship. Her parents are Jim and Jen Talich (former 1993 Simpson Award finalist).

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MILWARD SIMPSON BOYS WINNER: Beck Haswell

Beck Haswell earned multiple varsity letters in football, basketball, soccer, and track during his career at Sheridan High School. On the football field, Haswell garnered multiple 4A all-state and all-conference awards. In 2024, he was named 4A first-team all-state as a tight end and defensive end. He was the 4A Lineman of the Year and chosen as a member of the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 team. In 2025, he repeated as a Class 4A first-team all-state player at tight end and defensive end. He was the 4A Lineman of the Year for a second straight season, selected to the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 team again, and was the Super 25 Defensive Player of the Year. Beck was also chosen as the 2025-26 Gatorade Wyoming Football Player of the Year. WyoPreps selected him to the All-Championship game team as a defensive lineman. The Sheridan Press named Haswell its 2026 Male Athlete of the Year and Football Athlete of the Year. He was an integral part of three Class 4A state football championships at Sheridan High School. The Broncs went 36-0 over his three varsity seasons. On the basketball court, Haswell was named 4A all-state and all-conference twice. He was instrumental in helping Sheridan capture the 2026 4A boys’ basketball state championship. In soccer, Beck was named to the 4A East all-conference team twice as a goalkeeper. He was also a letter winner on the SHS track team. Haswell will attend the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship and pursue a degree in Business. His parents are Christi and Regan Haswell.

Talich beat out Brooklyn Asmus of Torrington, Cokeville’s Addison Barnes (who was unable to attend the ceremony), Chaney Reish from Tongue River, and Isabel Vasco from Green River.

Haswell beat out teammates Keegan Rager and Breck Reed from Sheridan, and Lovell’s Matthew Newman and Owen Walker.