The WyoPreps Athlete of the Year Award is a presentation of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming in cooperation with Wyldgear. The first girls’ tennis honor goes to Kelly Walsh senior Taylor Nokes. The choice of Nokes was a close call with another highly regarded player in the state, but Nokes’ victory in the title match last fall proved to be the difference.

Nokes capped her career with her third state championship. She won a pair of doubles titles earlier in her high school career before she captured the No. 1 singles crown in the fall of 2023. The senior dropped the first set in the state championship match but rallied for the win. Nokes prevailed 4-6, 6-2, and 6-4. The victory also atoned for the only loss Nokes had during the 2023 season. She helped Kelly Walsh win the North Regional team title and finish runner-up at the state championships.

Taylor joined WyoPreps’ David Settle, who presented the award, in a video interview. Nokes was very happy to receive this honor, reflected on her fall season, how she bounced back in the championship match, got a little redemption for the one loss she had, won a title 30 years after her dad did, and more.

WyoPreps congratulates Taylor Nokes from Kelly Walsh on winning the first WyoPreps Athlete of the Year for Girls’ Tennis.