Champions Rise: Brokaw, Crecelius & Balkenbush Named WyoPreps Athletes of the Week [VIDEOS]

Two champion tennis players and an elite cross-country runner were the WyoPreps Athlete of the Week award winners. Caroline Brokaw from Jackson, Cheyenne East’s Colin Crecelius, and Sheridan’s Eli Balkenbush were chosen as the recipients. Brokaw and Crecelius won state championships at No. 1 singles at last weekend’s tennis state championships. Balkenbush took first at the Rapid City Area Schools Invitational cross-country race in South Dakota. WyoPreps reviewed performances from the competition week of September 22-27 and chose these three student-athletes. Previous weeks are not part of the decision.

WYOPREPS ATHLETE OF THE WEEK WINNERS 10-1-25

Girls’ Winner

Brokaw won a nearly three-hour thriller in Gillette and captured her first state title at No. 1 singles. She beat a three-time state champ and handed her opponent the only loss of her prep career. Brokaw prevailed 4-6, 6-4, and 7-5. The sophomore nearly blew a 5-0 lead in the final set but held on for the victory. Her effort helped Jackson to a fourth-place finish as a team. You can watch Caroline’s reaction in the video above.

Read More About Previous Athlete of the Week Winners from WyoPreps

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 9-24-25

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 9-17-25

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 9-10-25

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 9-3-25

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 8-27-25

WYOPREPS ATHLETES OF THE WEEK 8-20-25

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Boys’ Winners

Crecelius won his first tennis state championship with a 6-2 and 6-2 win in the final match. He did not lose a set at the state tournament. Colin also defeated two other all-state singles players on his way to the title. WyoPreps spoke to the champ shortly after his win in the finals in Gillette. That’s in the video at the top of the story.

Balkenbush won the Rapid City Invitational at 15:49.78. His margin of victory was just over 18 seconds. The freshman helped the Broncs win the team title in the boys’ division with 25 points. It was his third win of the season.

WyoPreps visited with Eli about his victory. He discussed how he ran the course, what his strategy was entering the race, where he likes to make his move, what he needs to improve, and more.

Congratulations to Caroline, Colin, and Eli on being selected as the WyoPreps Athletes of the Week!