2023 Sports Awards Winners | Experience Olympia

COLLEGIATE SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR — MEN

One male athlete will be awarded. Nominees must have been enrolled any time from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024 in a full-time Thurston County college or be a native to Thurston County. Nominees must also have participated for a minimum of one year in at least one collegiate sport, and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior. Winner is in bold.

2024 Nominees

Kai Johnson, University of Montana

Luke Fenner, South Puget Sound Community College

Manny Nicasio, The Evergreen State College

COLLEGIATE SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR — WOMEN

One female athlete will be awarded. Nominees must have been enrolled any time from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024 in a full-time Thurston County college or be a native to Thurston County. Nominees must also have participated for a minimum of one year in at least one collegiate sport, and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior. Winner is in bold.

2024 Nominees

Nizhoni Tallman, The Evergreen State College

Flor Parker Borrero (Jasmine), The Evergreen State College

Alauna Carstens, The Evergreen State College

Grace Hurley, South Puget Sound Community College

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR — BOYS

One male athlete will be awarded. Nominees must have been enrolled full-time in a Thurston County high school program between Spring 2023 and Spring 2024. Nominees must have participated for a minimum of one season in at least one organized sport (high school, club, etc.), and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior. Winner is in bold.

2024 Nominees

Dylan Stevens, Tumwater High School

Kriya Hart, Capital High School

Jaylen Kennedy, North Thurston High School

Mason Embrey, Yelm High School

Drew Carlson, Olympia High School

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR — GIRLS

One female athlete will be awarded. Nominees must have been enrolled full-time in a Thurston County high school program between Spring 2023 and Spring 2024. Nominees must have participated for a minimum of one season in at least one organized sport (high school, club, etc.), and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior. *Winner is in bold.

2024 Nominees

Samantha Blank, Yelm High School

Hana Moll, Capital High School

Ella Ferguson, Tumwater High School

Claudia Wilson, Olympia High School

Rylee Hall, Capital High School

THURSTON COUNTY SPORTS LEGEND

Nominees must be individuals (five years removed from High School) who resided in Thurston County for a minimum of five years and are passionate about the growth and success of sports in Thurston County. The nominee must have maintained and continue to strengthen ties to Thurston County through philanthropic events and/or financial donations to support sports in the community. Nominees will have had a significant impact on the Thurston County sports community (prior or current collegiate or professional sports players may be included). Winner is in bold.

2024 Nominees

Brad Hooper

Bob Atwell

Carl Hancock

SPORTS MOMENT OF THE YEAR

Nominees can be a team or individual that has achieved national or local recognition for a sports moment that occurred from Spring 2023 to Spring 2024. Nominations should highlight an inspiring story, and outstanding sportsmanship during a single event (match, game, or championship) by a team or individual. Winner is in bold.