MOUNTAIN VIEW — MVHS’ Briggin Bluemel has been named a finalist for this year’s Milward Simpson Award.

The information was received Tuesday by Dustin Rees, MVHS activities director.

The Milward Simpson Award is given to the most outstanding senior male and female athletes in the state. It is considered the most prestigious honor a prep athlete can earn in their high school career. After consideration of all nominated athletes, the Simpson Selection Committee selects 10 finalists, five boys and five girls. The winners will be announced in June. The award is in honor of a man who gave a great deal to the youth of Wyoming and is remembered as one of Wyoming's greatest athletes.

“I would just like to say that it has been amazing receiving awards like these throughout high school and especially my senior year,” Bluemel said Wednesday morning. “I knew that I could always amount to doing great things as long as I worked hard and was determined, but I did not fully understand the importance of these awards and how special they would be to me. It means a lot to me not only because of the award itself but the fact that people are still willing to give kids, like me, recognition in times like these as well.

“Life is hard for everyone right now and they are still finding time to let kids shine for their accomplishments,” Bluemel added. “I would also like to say that none of this would have been possible without the support of people like Dustin Rees, Brent Walk and Joel Giorgis along with countless other members of the Mountain View School District and my family who have pushed my throughout my whole life.”

MVHS head track and field coach Joel Giorgis commented Tuesday night on Buemel’s status as a finalist for this year’s Milward Simpson award. Giorgis said Bluemel is deserving of the award. He has been a top athlete for MVHS and is very smart. Bluemel has excelled in football, basketball and track during his high school career. He has also received multiple All-Conference and All-State awards during his high school career. Another super award was being named the 3A Southwest male athlete of the year. Bluemel also was a top contender in his class academically as was the salutatorian of MVHS’ 2020 graduation class. Current plans are to pursue an engineering degree at UW.

Giorgis said Tuesday, schools nominate students who they think are qualified for the award. Bluemel received the thumbs up by MVHS for this year’s male athlete.

As reported earlier, Bluemel will don the Brown and Gold of UW next year to compete in track. Giorgis said he told UW’s track coach, Bluemel could definitely compete in the A1 Division.