Sports Awards
Join the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission in celebrating our community’s athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts and influencers at the annual Sports Awards event presented by Olympia Orthopaedic Associates.
The 8th Annual Sports Awards recognizes local game changers!
Join the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission in celebrating our community’s athletes, coaches, sports enthusiasts, influencers, and moments that make Thurston County a sports destination.
2025 Sports Awards Nominations
Seven awards were presented at our annual Sports Awards banquet on June 4, 2025. Community members nominated high school, collegiate, and recreational athletes or coaches for one of those seven awards. Sports community leaders and influencers were also eligible for awards.
*Nominations were officially closed as of May 12, 2025
Collegiate Sports Star of the Year - Women's Sports
Nominees must have been enrolled at a full-time Thurston County college for the 2024-2025 academic year or be a native of 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.
2025 Nominees
WINNER - Alauna Carstens, The Evergreen State College
Heather Ebner, Saint Martin's University
Flor Parker Borrero, The Evergreen State College
Jocelyn Saribay, Saint Martin's University
Jada Travis, Saint Martin’s University
Izabelle Trefts, The Evergreen State College
Sydney VanNess, The Evergreen State College
Collegiate Sports Star of the Year - Men's Sports
Nominees must have been enrolled at a full-time Thurston County college for the 2024-2025 academic year or be a native of 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.
2025 Nominees
Jaden Balboa, South Puget Sound Community College
Max Baeder, The Evergreen State College
Jourdan Joseph, The Evergreen State College
Quincy Linton, South Puget Sound Community College
WINNER - Emmanuel Nicasio, The Evergreen State College
Myles Samuels, Saint Martin's University
High School Sports Star of the Year – Girl’s Sports
Nominees must have been enrolled full-time in a Thurston County high school program during the 2024-2025 academic year. Nominees must have participated for at least one season in at least one organized sport (high school, club, etc.), and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior.
2025 Nominees
Nora Andreassen, Olympia High School
Kailyn Black, Rochester High School
Magdelena Burgman, Northwest Christian High School
Breanne Brooks, River Ridge High School
Hannah Jackson, Timberline High School
WINNER - Sadie McKune, North Thurston High School
Jennika Rodewald, Yelm High School
Ashley Yourkoski, North Thurston High School
High School Sports Star of the Year – Boy's Sports
Nominees must have been enrolled full-time in a Thurston County high school program during the 2024-2025 academic year. Nominees must have participated for at least one season in at least one organized sport (high school, club, etc.), and exemplify strong leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship with good school behavior.
2025 Nominees
WINNER - Andrew Coombs, Capital High School
Austin Gonia, Tenino High School
Kriya Hart, Capital High School
Josh Lie, River Ridge High School
Joseph Meier, Northwest Christian High School
Ethan Rodriguez, Rochester High School
Kenyon Simmons, Timberline High School
Jonas Versaw, Black Hills High School
Beckett Wall, Tumwater High School
Sports Contributor of the Year
Nominees are passionate about the growth and success of sports in Thurston County. Nominees could be coaches, people affiliated with nonprofit organizations, individuals, or major monetary donors to sports initiatives that serve to increase or improve sports access in Thurston County. Nominees must have demonstrated a commitment to sports during the 2024-2025 academic year. Open to all ages.
2025 Nominees
Jeff Grant, Clean and Sober Softball Association
William Garrow, Tumwater High School
WINNER - John Lane, The Evergreen State College
Sports Moment of the Year
Nominees can be a team or individual that has achieved local, regional or national recognition for a sports moment that occurred during the 2024-2025 academic year. Nominations should highlight an inspiring story, or an outstanding achievement by either a team or individual having ties to Thurston County.
2025 Nominees
Flor Parker Borrero, The Evergreen State College
Alauna Carstens, The Evergreen State College
Allison DeBerry, The Evergreen State College
Emmanuel (Manny) Nicasio, The Evergreen State College
Rainier High School, Golf Teams
WINNER - SPSCC Men’s Basketball
Thurston County Sports Legend
Nominees must be individuals (five years removed from High School) who have 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 maintain ties to Thurston County through philanthropic events, volunteer activity, 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).
2025 Nominees
WINNER - Bob Atwell
John Lane
Russ Olsen