Submitted by Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission
The Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, a division of Experience Olympia & Beyond, will host the seventh annual Thurston County Sports Awards on Thursday, November 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College, with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event, presented by Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, will honor 28 local athletes, coaches, sports influencers, and community enthusiasts with six awards. Tickets can be purchased in advance online here.
“The Sports Awards are more than just a celebration of athletic achievements—they’re a way to bring our community together and recognize the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of local athletes and teams. These awards inspire future generations and reinforce the positive impact sports have on the development of our youth and the spirit of our region,” Annette Pitts, CEO for Experience Olympia & Beyond and Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, said.
All nominations were submitted by local peers and were voted on by an advisory committee made up of community stakeholders.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Kelly Golob, a highly accomplished chiropractor with a passion for both healthcare and athletics. An Olympia native, Kelly attended Northern Arizona University, where he studied Exercise Physiology and played basketball. He was inducted into the NAU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and was a standout Academic All-American and All-Big Sky Conference performer. After graduating, Dr. Golob played professionally in Germany before returning to the U.S. to pursue his chiropractic degree. Now back in Thurston County, he is a chiropractor at Tumwater Chiropractic Center, where he continues to help people improve their quality of life.
2024 Sports Awards Nominees
High School Sports Star of the Year – Girl’s Sports
- Samantha Blank, Yelm High School (Wrestling, Powerlifting, and Judo)
- Ella Ferguson, Tumwater High School (Softball)
- Rylee Hall, Capital High School (Soccer)
- Hana Mall, Capital High School (Track & Field – Pole Vault, 4×100, 4×200)
- Claudia Wilson, Olympia High School (Flag Football)
High School Sports Star of the Year – Boy’s Sports
- Drew Carlson, Olympia High School (Football and Basketball)
- Mason Embrey, Yelm High School (Football and Powerlifting)
- Kriya Hart, Capital High School (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling)
- Jaylen Kennedy, North Thurston High School (Football and Baseball)
- Dylan Stevens, Tumwater High School (Football and Soccer)
Collegiate Sports Star of the Year – Women’s Sports
- Flor Parker Borrero, Evergreen State College (Wrestling)
- Alauna Carstens, Evergreen State College (Cross Country and Track & Field)
- Grace Hurley, South Puget Sound Community College (Golf)
- Nizhoni Tallman, Evergreen State College (Wrestling)
Collegiate Sports Star of the Year – Men’s Sports
- Kai Johnson, University of Montana (Basketball)
- Luke Fenner, South Puget Sound Community College (Golf)
- Manny Nicasio, Evergreen State College (Soccer)
Sports Moment of the Year
- Dylan Stevens, Tumwater High School (Soccer)
- Kai Johnson, Western Washington University (Basketball)
- North Thurston High School Volleyball Team
- Prairie Days Charity Mushball Tournament
- Shannon Brigham and North Thurston Public Schools Gymnastics
- Tia Kuntz and River Ridge High School Cheer
- Yelm High School Powerlifting
Thurston County Sports Legend
- Bob Atwell, Timberline High School
- Carl Hancock, Arm Wrestling, Snooker, Northwest Christian High School
- Brad Hooper, North Thurston Public Schools
For more information on the 2024 Sports Awards, please visit the Experience Olympia website.
