2010 MT AAU Outstanding MALE Athlete of the Year
Bryon Wilson: Freestyle Skiing, Butte, Training in Park City, Utah

Bryon Wilson (Sharing his Bronze Medal) with MT AAU District Governor, Jean Olson for Montana

Bryon Wilson:

Bryon is an award winning moguls skier and wood carver. As a youth Bryon participated in many sports, including gymnastics and baseball. In gymnastics he performed a back double full on the floor and double back releases on the parallel bars and won state championships and regional gold medalist honors. Bryon started skiing at age 12, saw freestyle mogul skiing for the first time, and was immediately attracted to the sport. He soon joined the Bridger Freestyle Ski Team under Mike Papke and Tony Gilpin. Training for moguls skiing during the Montana summers presented some problems for Bryon and his brother Brad. They occasionally took their skis along as they hiked to the top of the mountains to get in a practice run. Realizing the need for their sons to train at a national forum, the Wilsons relocated to the Salt Lake City area where Bryon and Brad joined the Wasatch Freestyle Team in Park City. Bryon became a Junior World Champion in Switzerland, winning the event with one of the highest recorded scores, a 28.85. He traveled the NorAm and then the World Cup circuits, becoming known for his double full and cork 1080, which are some of the most advanced aerials in the competition. After winning the US National Championship in 2009, he was promoted to the US “B” Ski Team. At the start of this year’s World Cup season in Finland, he won 2 silver medals which gained him acceptance to the “A” Team. That meant he would receive assistance with his travel expenses and have a shot at the Olympics. Last February, in the qualifying round of the Olympics, Bryon competed against the top 30 skiers in the world and finished in 3rd place. In the finals he had a great run and was in 2nd place behind the reigning Olympic Champion. After watching the last two skiers make their runs, he realized that he had made the podium, becoming a bronze Olympic medalist. Bryon is also an award winning wood carver. The fish carving and related donations contributed to financing his travel expenses while on the NorAm and then the World Cup Racing Circuits. His wood carving awards include a first place at the Utah Valley Show in 2008 and 2009 and also at the Missoula Wood Carvers Show in 2007 and 2008. He also won the People’s Choice Award at the Missoula Show in 2008

Semi-Finalist-

Hunter Azure: Wrestling, Poplar High School, Senior

Dane Fletcher: Football, Montana State University, Senior, Bozeman

Patrick Casey, Track, Montana State University, Sophomore, Laurel

2010 MT AAU Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year
Heather McPhie – Bozeman, MT

Heather & Bryon

Heather McPhie:

Heather started skiing at Big Sky and Bridger Bowl when she was 3 years old. She also participated in gymnastics at Lone Mountain Gymnastics in Bozeman from about age 5 through 12. At age 12, she joined the Bridger Ski Foundation. During her years in high school, she skied Saturdays and Sundays, traveling a lot for competitions. During her senior year she worked out her schedule so that she could train on Wednesday afternoons as well. She also went to Lone Mountain Gymnastics quite often and jumped on the trampoline to work on her tricks. Heather’s list of skiing accomplishments include being the 2005, 2006, and 2009 North American Tour overall champion, the 2007 World Cup Rookie of the Year, and a 2nd place overall ranking in the 2010 World Cup Tour. During the Vancouver Olympics in February, she qualified 3rd, but fell in the finals and ended up in 18th place. This season marked her first podiums on the World Cup when she finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd twice. Despite traveling a lot in high school, Heather was a cheerleader all 4 years, and especially enjoyed the tumbling. She was also involved in Yearbook. Now, despite her hectic schedule, Heather volunteers for a local freestyle program in Park City and coaches up and coming athletes at the Utah Olympic Park. She has done volunteer work for the Youth Winter Sports Alliance based in Park City, helping them get auction items for a large fundraiser they do to help promote winter sports. She also supports the Bridger Ski Foundation as her charity of choice with the sale of the “Heather McPhie Blend” coffee by Silver Bean Coffee. When she is home she still tries to stay involved as much as possible with the local program. She also donates time for fundraisers for USSA. Heather attended MSU full-time on an academic scholarship in 2002-2003. She now attends classes at Westminster College in Salt Lake every summer. They’re a sponsor of the US Ski Team and are instrumental in helping athletes pursue their education. Right now her tentative plan is to double major in Psychology and Business Management. She is also interested in massage therapy. Heather has been the bookkeeper for her parents’ business, McPhie Cabinetry, since she was 16. She also worked for Lone Mountain Gymnastics and did a lot of coaching and water ramping at the Utah Olympic Park for several summers. She also managed a program at the water ramps during the summer of 2006.

Semi-Finalist-

Allison Jones: Track, Montana State University, Senior, Harlowton

Kalli Stanhope: Basketball and Golf, MSU-Billings, Sophomore, Glendive

Lauren Beck: Basketball, University of Montana, Senior, Great Falls