A strong high school career came to a close for Powell High School’s Addy Thorington during the senior recognition ceremony in May, as she was named the Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

“It meant a lot to earn the title,” Thorington said. “My mom won this award when she was a senior, so it is so cool that we both have it now. My grade has always been extremely competitive when it comes to sports, so it truly is an honor being able to receive the award.”

MULTI-SPORT ATHLETE

Throughout high school, Thorington competed for the Panthers across three sports; volleyball, basketball and track and field.

Over those four years, she was named All-State three times in volleyball, while also being named the 3A West Player of the Year two straight years.

She recorded 603 kills during her senior year, while also recording 344 digs, 81 aces and 119 blocks for the Panthers.

That served as part of a turnaround for the Panthers in recent years, who went from not making it to the state tournament Thorington’s freshman and sophomore years to advancing the past two years and making the state championship last fall.

“Some of my favorite memories from PHS are winning regionals and making it to the state championship for volleyball my senior year,” she said.

In addition to being All-State in volleyball, Thorington was named All-State in basketball the past two years, having played varsity on the Panther basketball team three out of four years after not playing her sophomore year.

She finished her senior year averaging 11.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game to help Powell advance to the state tournament the past two seasons.

While she has thrived in the gym for the Panthers, Thorington has also been a part of three regional and state championships for the track and field team in which she scored points in all three years.

As a sophomore, she tied for second in the high jump and finished third her junior year, while Powell came out on top as a team her freshman through junior years.

“There are so many amazing, funny memories when I think back to all my years of high school sports. I wouldn’t trade them for anything,” Thorington said.

For all of her efforts, Thorington has been named a finalist for the Milward Simpson Award, which is awarded to the top senior athlete in Wyoming regardless of classification.

She was named a finalist for the award alongside Cody’s Molly Hays, Sheridan’s Addie Pendergast, Cheyenne East’s Bradie Schlabs and Wheatland’s Lily Nichols.

She is the first female finalist from Powell since Emma Karhu in 2021 and will look to be the first winner since Kristy Johnson in 1996.

The award will be presented Saturday at a luncheon in Cody.

LESSONS AND ADVICE

Throughout the four years she has participated in athletics at PHS, Thorington has had a host of different coaches across her three sports.

“The most important thing that I have learned from our coaches is to have heart,” Thorington said. “If you don’t have love for the people and sports you are participating in then you will get nowhere … No matter how good you are and what you try to accomplish, you will get nowhere without a team behind you.”

Through the lessons she has learned in high school, Thorington had some advice for future Panthers coming to PHS.

“My biggest advice is never give up. When you feel like you have nowhere to go and can’t do any better, you’re wrong,” she said. “You will find a way to achieve your dreams. Also, be a leader. Being a leader helps so many people including teammates, kids, coaches and parents. You will be recognized for your efforts if you put in the work.”

FUTURE GOALS

Now that she has graduated from high school, Thorington is preparing to compete at the next level as she signed her Letter of Intent in December to continue her volleyball career at the University of Wyoming in the fall.

“I am hoping to reach another level of skill,” Thorington said. “I have loved this sport ever since I was little and I have wanted to be the best. Now I can really put myself out there to achieve that goal.”

With Thorington taking her talents to Laramie, she added that she is going to miss Powell and the environment it creates.

“I am going to miss the atmosphere and the community this school and town brings. Powell and PHS have such an amazing vibe and presence on all the athletes,” she said. “I have felt cared for and taken care of by all of the people here.”