Now eligible for regional award

Powell High School senior Cooper Wise was named Wyoming’s top scholar-athlete by the Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The announcement was made during the organization’s annual awards banquet in Laramie.

Wise follows in the footsteps of former Powell High School graduate Gavin Mills, who won the honor three years earlier. Like Mills, Wise now has his name forwarded for consideration as the regional football scholar-athlete for this part of the nation. Regional winners then have their names forwarded for national recognition.

An announcement of those honorees won’t come until June.

As a senior, Wise was an all-state selection for the Panthers, who captured the 3A state championship this past fall. Wise played a key role in Powell’s secondary, which led the state of Wyoming in interceptions for two consecutive seasons. He was selected the state’s top scholar-athlete from a pool that included 10 other finalists.

Lovell’s Mark Grant was one of those additional finalists. Others included Sheridan’s Jordan Roberts, Natrona’s Jake Thomas, Torrington’s Zach Lurz, Tongue River’s Austin Bolin, Cokeville’s Bronson Teichert, Riverside’s Mike Miller and Tyler Williamson, Dubois’ Mitchell Baker and Snake River’s Daniel Wille.

Wise was not the only Powell resident to be honored on the evening, however.

David Fink was honored as one of the state’s greatest high school sports fans. Fink was one of two Wyoming residents so honored this season. Myron Heny, a longtime officiating icon throughout the region, was honored with the Ox Zellner Football Official career achievement award.

The pair were among 12 individuals honored for their contributions to football around the state of Wyoming.