Wright becomes GHS's eighth Mower Award recipient

Greybull High School senior Kendall Wright has been named the 1A/2A winner of the 59th annual Wilford Mower Award, which is presented to the top male and female athletes in the Big Horn Basin.

A longtime coach in the Big Horn Basin, Mower died in a 1959 vehicle crash.  The tradition of honoring the outstanding male and female student-athletes for their achievements in sports, scholarship and service to the community began the following year, in 1960.

Wright is the first GHS student-athlete to win the award since Clay Cundall in 2011.  Other Buffs who earned the Mower Award include Tom Wilkinson (1961), Don Anderson (1963), Mike Good (1987), Jamie Crawford (1989), Emily Koller (1999) and Grant Royal (2003).

This year's Mower Award recipients were announced at the Class 2A West Regional track and field meet in Shoshoni.  Wright had obligations to her spring sport of choice — soccer — so she was unable to attend.  Nolan Tracy, the activities director at GHS, accepted the plaque on her behalf.

In addition, Wright also receives a $250 award to be used for college expenses of her choosing. Tracy said the Five Rivers Conference pays the award for the Northwest boys and girls who earn it.

The daughter of Ken and Tami Wright, Kendall has been a three-sport standout, excelling in volleyball and basketball at GHS and also as a member of the Worland Warrior soccer team, which is heading to the state tournament later this week in Jackson.

Upon graduation, Kendall will shift her focus to basketball, as she's signed a letter of intent to play for the Northwest College Lady Trappers.