Cody’s Kennedi Niemann-Luke Talich Win Milward Simpson Award

Cody’s own Kennedi Niemann and Luke Talich have won the prestigious Milward Simpson Award.

Jake Talich, Luke’s younger brother, accepts the Milward Simpson plaque in honor of his brother along with the other finalists

Kennedi and the female award finalists with the Simpsons

This award is given to the most outstanding male and female high school senior in Wyoming. It is considered most prestigious award an athlete can earn in their high school career.

This is the 48th year of the award and were honored at a luncheon Saturday afternoon at the Cody Auditorium.

Kennedi is the first female to win this award in Cody High history, Luke is the second Bronc to ever win the award. Mike Mees, garnered the award back in 1978.

Kennedi Niemann after winning the Milward Simpson Award

During her four-year career Kennedi earned multiple letters in volleyball, basketball, and soccer. In volleyball she was selected all-conference (2 times) and all-state her senior season where she helped lead her team to the 4A state runner-up title. During her basketball career she was named all-conference (3 times), all-state (3 times), all-class assists leader and 4A West Defensive Player of the Year twice. She helped lead her team to two 4A West regional championships, two state runner-up titles, and this past season Cody’s first state basketball championship with a 25-0 record. She will be playing in both the Wyoming Coaches’ Association and Wyoming/Montana all-star games this summer. In soccer Kennedi was all-conference (2 times) and all-state (2 times). Her teams won the 3A state championship two year sin a row with a perfect 34-0 record. She was also named the recipient of the prestigious Wilford Mower Award. Kennedi plans to attend Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ to play basketball and study Communications.

During his four-year career Luke has earned multiple letters in football, basketball and track. In football he has received all-conference (3 times) and all-state (3 times) at the quarterback and safety positions.  Luke helped lead his team to back-to-back state 3A titles in 2020-2021 and a runner-up title in 2022. During his senior season he threw for (1682) yards with (25) touchdowns. He also ran for (582) yards and scored (7) touchdowns. Also, a stellar defensive player he recorded (41.5) tackles and was named an all-state player at safety. Luke was named the 3A West Defensive Player of the Year, selected to the Casper Star Tribune Super 25 team (2 times), and he was chosen to play in the Wyoming Shrine Bowl game this summer. In basketball he earned all-conference ( 3 times) and all-state (3 times). His sophomore year he was the 3A state runner-up in both the 100 meters and the long jump. He also won the 100 meters and the long jump at the Wyoming Track Classic. Luke has chosen to decline football scholarship offers to the University of Wyoming, Utah, Oregon State, Colorado State, San Jose State and Montana. Instead, he is fulfilling his childhood dream to play for the Irish of Notre Dame University where he will be a preferred walk-on this fall.

And a congratulations goes out to Cody’s Ally Boysen who was one of the 10 finalists that’ll be etched into the history of the Milward Simpson Award.