Laramie girls soccer stars Romero, Wallhead earn all-state honors

Two Laramie High School seniors gave Albany County girls soccer a clear standard to chase. Senior midfielder Devani Romero and senior forward Ava Wallhead were named first-team all-state selections by the Wyoming Coaches Association after a season that pushed Laramie into the Class 4A title game in Gillette.

Romero collected her third all-state honor, while Wallhead earned the recognition for the second time. The pair powered the Plainsmen’s attack all season, with Romero leading Laramie with 21 goals, fourth-most in Class 4A, and Wallhead adding 20. Together, they accounted for 41 goals and helped make Laramie one of the state’s most dangerous scoring teams.

The honors carry extra weight because of how all-state selections are chosen. The Wyoming Coaches Association recognizes 25 girls soccer players in each class, 3A and 4A, and only current member coaches may nominate and vote for the award. Players must first be first-team all-conference selections, which puts Romero and Wallhead among the strongest performers in the state before the all-state vote even begins.

Laramie’s postseason run ended at the state tournament in Gillette, held May 21-23. The Plainsmen opened with a 6-5 win over Green River on May 21, then fell 3-1 to Jackson in the Class 4A championship game. Jackson won the state title, but Laramie left Gillette with a runner-up finish and a pair of seniors who had already established themselves as the centerpiece of the program.

For younger players in Laramie and across Albany County, Romero and Wallhead’s recognition sets a visible benchmark. Their all-state awards reflect not just individual production, but a season that showed what Laramie girls soccer can do when experience, finishing and sustained support come together.