Sleep adds Mower honor to his haul

Powell High School seniors Drew Feller and Vince Sleep added additional highlights to their final spring in Panther uniforms. Feller was named the Wyoming Spirit of Sport award winner at the state track championships last weekend.

The previous week, Sleep was honored as the Big Horn Basin’s Mower Award winner for large schools.

Feller becomes the first Powell High School student to be honored with the Spirit of Sport award, given each year to a student-athlete, coach, administrator, official, trainer or any others associated with the school’s athletic or performing arts program. Developed by the National Federation of State High School Associations, the award seeks to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.

State winners are subsequently forwarded to a committee for consideration for regional recognition. Winners of the nation’s eight regional awards are then eligible for recognition as the national Spirit of Sport award recipient.

Feller was a four-year letter winner for the Panthers’ cross country team, a three-year letter winner for Panther wrestling and a three-time letter winner for the track and field program. He served as a Student Ambassador and a member of the PHS Student Council for two years. In the community, he has participated in local food drives, volunteered at Vacation Bible School and has been active in various church and youth group activities.

In nominating Feller for the award, Powell High School activities director Tim Wormald described Feller as “one of the kindest and most caring students walking the halls” at Powell High School.

“He is known for putting others’ needs before his own and contributing positively to the groups in which he is involved,” Wormald said. “In many ways, Drew is the spirit of sport at PHS.”

Sleep, meanwhile, was presented with the Mower Award, named in honor of Milford Mower, who coached in a number of Big Horn Basin communities before being killed in an automobile accident in 1959. The award is given based upon the athletic achievements, academic record and citizenship traits of the nominees.

Sleep had his name nominated for the award by virtue of being named Powell High School’s top senior athlete for the 2012-2013 school year. The final award recipients, a male and female in both the large school and small school divisions, are selected by the Big Horn Basin Coaches Association. Sleep was presented his award during the 3A West regional track meet in Lander. Feller was honored during a midday presentation on championship Saturday at the Wyoming High School state track and field championships last weekend.