Fourteen Wyoming high school football scholar-athletes, including 11 in the running to be named the state’s top football scholar-athlete, will be honored Saturday during the Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation’s annual banquet in Laramie.
The finalists for the chapter’s award recognizing Wyoming’s top football scholar-athlete are Sheridan’s Blayne Baker; Natrona’s Brett Brenton; Upton’s Dawson Butts; Snake River’s J.D. Corson; Sheridan’s Kyle Custis; Pine Bluffs’ Wyatt Fornstrom; Green River’s Chance Hofer; Kaycee’s Mark Largent; Newcastle’s Cam Quigley; Glenrock’s Hezekiah (Kia) Sexson; and Torrington’s Jake Wamboldt. These 11 were chosen from a group of 99 nominees from across the state.
One winner from this group will represent Wyoming for regional and national honors. Each wins a $1,200 scholarship for being a finalist, while the winner wins an additional $1,200 scholarship. Awards are weighted 40 percent football ability; 40 percent academic achievement and 20 percent community service.
Three other players — Southeast’s Kaden Malm, Wind River’s Kaiden Burk and Buffalo’s Clayton Auzqui — will also be recognized. Malm and Burk will be recognized with the chapter’s Courage Award, while Auzqui will be recognized with the chapter’s Perseverance Award.
UW’s Dalton Fields and Drew Van Maanen will also be honored with scholar-athlete awards.
–patrick