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Vote for Statesman Journal high school girls Athlete of the Year

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The 2024-25 high school sports season has wrapped up, and athletes from the Salem-Keizer area produced countless memorable performances this past school year.

Now it’s your turn to vote for who is the best.

Nominees for Statesman Journal girls Athlete of the Year are:

  • Tia Allen, Kennedy track and field
  • Emma Brewer, Salem Academy basketball
  • Myleigh Cooper, Scio softball
  • Sarahi Chavez, McNary wrestling and soccer
  • Hadley Craig, Silverton basketball
  • Nelida Dalgas, North Salem track and field and cross-country
  • Brooke Friesen, Sprague volleyball
  • Kenzi Hollenbeck, Stayton basketball and softball
  • Celia James, Salem Academy track and field, basketball and soccer
  • Braeli Martin, West Salem softball, basketball and volleyball
  • Runon Muroya, Western Christian basketball
  • Harlow Nelson, Dallas softball
  • Eliza Nisly, Amity soccer and basketball
  • Polly Olliff, Dallas wrestling
  • Gretchen Orton, Jefferson basketball
  • Averie Peterson, Santiam track and field
  • Lillian Pickett, Cascade track and field
  • Malia Scanlan, Cascade softball
  • Marley Wertz, Silverton soccer and basketball

Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at 11 a.m. Friday, July 4.

Tia Allen, Kennedy track and field

The senior claimed the Class 2A state discus title and took seventh in the shot put. Allen finished the season with a personal-best discus throw of 149 feet, 4 inches, third-best in the state regardless of classification.

Emma Brewer, Salem Academy volleyball

The junior was named the Class 2A state player of the year after leading Salem Academy to the state title.

Brewer, who is committed to play at San Diego, racked up 27 kills in a 25-19, 25-17, 25-14 win over Crosshill Christian in the state title game at Ridgeview High School in Redmond.

Sarahi Chavez, McNary wrestling

The senior captured her second state wrestling title, winning the 6A/5A 100-pound championship by technical fall despite wrestling with a ruptured knee ligament.

Myleigh Cooper, Scio softball

For the third consecutive season, Cooper was named the Class 3A state player of the year. A Cal Poly signee, she led Scio to its first-ever state title.

Cooper was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Oregon. She broke the state record for home runs, ending her career with 75. Cooper finished as the third-winningest pitcher in state history with 83 victories.

Hadley Craig, Silverton basketball

The junior earned Class 5A first-team all-state honors after helping Silverton to a third-place finish at the state tournament at Linfield University in McMinnville. Craig was named to the all-tournament team.

Nelida Dalgas, North Salem track and field and cross-country

The junior took second place at the Class 6A state cross-country meet at Lane Community College. A week later, she took sixth place at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships in Eagle, Idaho. Dalgas’ personal-best time of 16 minutes, 46.3 seconds at the Rose City Championship Invite was the 18th-fastest in the nation this season.

During the spring track and field season, Dalgas placed second in the 3,000 (9:49.45) and seventh in the 1,500 (4:38.82) at the state meet at Hayward Field.

Brooke Friesen, Sprague volleyball

The sophomore was named the Central Valley Conference player of the year and earned Class 6A first-team all-state recognition after helping Sprague reach the state quarterfinals.

Kenzi Hollenbeck, Stayton basketball and softball

The senior was named the Oregon West Conference co-player of the year and earned Class 4A first-team all-state honors after helping lead Stayton to the state title.

In the spring, Hollenbeck earned first-team all-league honors on the softball field.

Celia James, Salem Academy track and field, basketball and soccer

For the third time in her career, the Crusaders’ versatile senior won the Class 2A 400-meter state title (57.69) on the track. She took third in the 800 (2:24.41) and ran anchor legs for Salem Academy’s state title-winning 4×400 relay team (4:04.62) and first-place 4×100 relay team (50.48).

On the basketball court, James earned first-team all-state honors after leading the Crusaders to the 2A state title.

She was a team captain for Salem Academy’s soccer team, which went 11-6 on the year and reached the second round of the state playoffs.

Braeli Martin, West Salem softball, basketball and volleyball

The Titans’ senior was named the Class 6A pitcher of the year and earned first-team all-state honors after helping West Salem reach the state quarterfinals.

On the basketball court, Martin was a first-team all-Central Valley Conference selection.

On the volleyball court, she earned second-team all-league recognition.

Runon Muroya, Western Christian basketball

The senior was named the Class 2A state player of the year after helping Western Christian reach the state title game.

Muroya was named to the all-tournament first team.

Harlow Nelson, Dallas softball and track and field

The freshman took third place in both the 100 (12.28) and 200 (25.05) at the Class 5A state meet at Hayward Field.

She also played third base and hit leadoff for Dallas’ softball team, which reached the state playoffs.

Eliza Nisly, Amity soccer and basketball

On the soccer field, the junior earned Class 3A/2A/1A first-team all-state recognition and was named 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 co-player of the year after leading Amity to the second round of the state playoffs.

On the basketball court, Nisly earned honorable mention all-state honors while helping the Warriors win the 3A state title.

Polly Olliff, Dallas wrestling

The senior won her third consecutive 6A/5A wrestling title, this time capturing the 115-pound championship by 10-3 decision.

Olliff won the 105 title as a sophomore before winning the 110 crown as a junior.

Averie Peterson, Santiam track and field

The versatile senior won the Class 2A 800-meter state title with a state meet-record time of 2:15.71. She took second at state in the 1,500 (4:41.94) and triple jump (36-4 3/4).

Peterson, a St. Mary’s College track and field commit, finished the season with 2A top-10 marks in the 200, 400, 800, 1,500, long jump and triple jump.

Gretchen Orton, Jefferson basketball

The senior was named the Class 3A state player of the year after leading Jefferson to the state semifinals.

Lillian Pickett, Cascade track and field

For the second consecutive season, the senior won the Class 4A 400 state title. She clocked a personal-best time of 55.77 — the sixth-fastest time in the state this season, regardless of classification. Pickett’s time was also the third-fastest ever for a 4A girls runner in the state of Oregon.

She also finished as runner-up in the 200 (25.25).

Malia Scanlan, Cascade softball

The Cougars’ senior was named the Oregon West Conference player of the year after helping the Cougars reach the state playoffs.

A Western Oregon University signee, Scanlan hit .543 on the year and ranked among the state leaders with 11 home runs, 18 doubles and 62 RBIs.

Marley Wertz, Silverton soccer and basketball

The Foxes’ sophomore was named the Mid-Willamette Conference player of the year and earned Class 5A first-team all-state honors after helping lead Silverton to the state quarterfinals.

On the basketball court, Wertz received honorable mention all-league recognition.



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Big day for Hillsdale’s throwers as Charger men kick off season at GVSU Holiday Open

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The Hillsdale College men’s track and field team got off to a strong start in the throws on Friday, kicking off the 2025-26 indoor season at the GVSU Holiday Open.

All four of Hillsdale’s season-opening provisional qualifying marks came in the shot put and weight throw at the meet, showing why the Chargers are one of the best throws programs in NCAA DII.

Leading the way was senior and defending NCAA DII weight throw national champion Ben Haas, who began his title defense by taking second overall and first among collegiate throwers in the event on Friday with a provisional qualfying throw of 21.33 meters. 

Haas was joined in setting a provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw by not one, but two teammates on Friday. Redshirt freshman Dominic Scharer had an collegiate debut to remember on Friday, opening his career with a 20.02 meter mark that makes him the just the fourth Charger in program history to break 20 meters in the weight throw. Along with Scharer, junior Dimitry Ermakov had a massive new personal best in the weight throw to earn a provisional mark in the event for the first time with a distance of 18.58 meters. That mark gives Ermakov the sixth-best weight throw mark in Hillsdale College history as well.

Along with his performance in the weight throw, Haas also started strong in the shot put, placing fourth with a throw of 17.24 meters to give himself a second provisional mark on the day. Scharer also had a notable debut in the shot put, with a top throw of 14.99 meters that gives him the eighth-best mark in program history as well.

On the track, Hillsdale had a few notable standouts. Senior Gabriel Phillips ran well against an elite field in the fastest heat of the 5,000m run, finishing ninth in a new personal best time of 14:30.62, the fourth-best mark in the event in program history. Freshman John Richardson also had a strong first collegiate 5K, finishing in a strong time of 15:02.60 for the Chargers as well, and junior Caleb Youngstedt also ran a new personal best in the 5K of 15:06.17 for Hillsdale.

Two freshmen put together impressive first races as well for the Chargers. Watson Magwenzi had a debut to remember for Hillsdale, becoming just the 11th Charger in program history to go under seven seconds in the 60m dash with a time of 6.99, and also running a solid 22.53 in his first collegiate 200. In the 400m dash, freshman Jack Polizzi also started fast for Hillsdale, placing sixth in 49.48 just ahead of teammate Zealand Tarrant, who ran a new personal best 49.77 to take ninth.  Magwenzi also was pushed in the 60 and 200 by sophomore Sam Jones, who a personal best 7.03 in the 60 and a 22.63 in the 200.

Senior Mark Masaka placed 10th (1:56.19) and freshman Wyatt Widolff placed 14th (1:57.48) in the 800m run as well for Hillsdale, and freshman Luan Kummle took 14th in the long jump (6.26 meters).

Hillsdale now heads into the Christmas break, and will pick back up in 2026 with the Al Campbell Invite hosted by the University of Akron on Jan. 16.



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Men’s Track & Field: Stefanowicz Tops Hurdles Record at M City Classic

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Macalester College men’s track & field team opened the 2026 indoor season at the M City Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday. Senior Sebastian Stefanowicz (Portland, Ore./Valley Catholic) broke the school record in the 60-meter hurdles.

Stefanowicz finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles behind three Division I athletes and an unattached runner with a time of 8.63. The performance betters the old record of 8.68, set by John Shepard ’01 in 1999. Senior Hamza Mahamud (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) finished seventh in 9.10. Stefanowicz also placed 12th in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.15, which ranks sixth on Macalester’s all-time performance list.

In the 600 meters, seniors Henry Schonebaum (Faribault, Minn./Faribault) and Thomas Malecha (Faribault, Minn.) finished sixth and seventh, respectively. First year Aj Baehr (Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) took seventh in the 400 meters (51.18) in his first collegiate race.

In the field events, first year Alex Peters (Belle Plaine, Minn./Jordan) took fourth in the shot put with a mark of 12.55 meters (41-2.25) in his first competition as a Scot. Sophomore Ataa Mensah (St. Paul, Minn./Roseville) finished fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 12.77 meters (41-10.75), followed by first year Garner Miyagawa (Encinitas, Calif./San Dieguito Academy) in fifth with a mark of 12.26 (40-2.75).

Macalester resumes competition in January by hosting the Vanessa Seljeskog Classic on Jan. 24 in the Leonard Center Fieldhouse.

Click here for results.

 



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Tigers Win Seven Events at Birmingham Icebreaker

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Memphis track and field opened its 2025-26 indoor season with a strong showing on Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex, earning seven event wins—the most of any team in the field.

Gizel Clayton captured the women’s 60-meter hurdles (8.43) title for the second straight year, while Alex Bobak won the mile (4:15.97) for the first time in his career, setting a personal best in the process. Poorna Raorane also took home a victory in the shot (14.65m) put after finishing third at last year’s meet.

Courtland Noble won the 400m (48.55) making his second career victory in this event.

The Tigers recorded 10 top-five finishes, including sophomore Trinity Brown, who placed second and set a PR in the triple jump (11.91m).

Memphis athletes combined for 21 personal records, the most in a single meet since Feb. 15, 2025, at the Bulldog Open and Invite.

A full list of today’s six wins, top-five finishes and PRs can be found below. Comprehensive meet results can be found in the link above.

Tigers will be back in action in the new year, opening 2026 at the Bob Teel Invitational in Columbus, Missouri, on January 24.

Wins

Gizel Clayton, Women’s 60mH, 8.43

Alex Bobak, Men’s One Mile, 4:15.97

Poorna Raorane, Women’s Shot Put, 14.65m

Oageng Mdlela, Men’s Triple Jump, 15.16m

Kaseiana Meriweather, Women’s 200m, 24.08

Courtland Noble, Men’s 400m, 48.55

Meghan Porterfield, Women’s Weight Throw, 17.49m

Top Finishes (Top 5)

Kaseiana Meriweather, 2nd, Women’s 60m, 7.49

Destiny Jenkins, 4th, Women’s 60m, 7.55

Jazmyn James, 2nd, Women’s Shot Put, 13.88m

Meghan Porterfield, 3rd, Women’s Shot Put, 13.30m

Jean Yves Thiemble Marco, 3rd, Men’s Long Jump, 7.20m

Kouto Anyika, 4th, Men’s 300m, 33.95

Alexandra Allen, 2nd, Women’s 400m, 56.61

Judy Elful, 3rd, Women’s 400m, 56.95

Lilith Stenger, 2nd, Women’s High Jump, 1.60m

Trinity Brown, 2nd, Women’s Triple Jump, 11.91m

Tristian Robinson, 2nd, Men’s Weight Throw, 17.55m

Natalie Albert, 2nd, Women’s Weight Throw, 17.21m

Dajuan Montague, 2nd, Men’s High Jump, 2.10m

PRs

Elizabeth Markwell, Women’s 3000m, 11:10.48

Brooke Doyle, Women’s 3000m, 11:44.71

Jackson Turner, Men’s 3000m, 9:03.57

Jay Prettyman, Men’s 3000m, 9:12.56

Jagger Noel, Men’s 3000m, 9:19.46

Kaseiana Meriweather, Women’s 60m, 7.49

Destiny Jenkins, Women’s 60m, 7.55

Alex Bobak, Men’s One Mile, 4:15.97

Urko Extebeste, Men’s One Mile, 4:28.33

Resse Martin, Women’s 1000m, 3:10.96

Shantel Reed, Women’s 300m, 42.22

Kouto Anyika, Men’s 300m, 33.95

Bryson Wilson, Men’s 300m, 34.47

Jonathan Bunch Jr., Men’s 300m, 36.70

Alexandra Allen, Women’s 400m, 56.61

Lilith Stenger, Women’s High Jump, 1.60m

Trinity Brown, Women’s Triple Jump, 11.91m

Tristian Robinson, Men’s Weight Throw, 17.55m

Amri White, Men’s Weight Throw, 15.70m

Zion Smith, Women’s Long Jump, 5.15m

Dajuan Montague, Men’s High Jump, 2.10m

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Cross Country and Track & Field, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team’s social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

 





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Liston Breaks 5K School Record, Track & Field Starts Indoor Season Strong

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In their first meet in 195 days, the men’s and women’s track and field teams started strong at the MSU Chuck Peterson Open and M City Classic, with Molly Liston setting a school record in the 5000-meter and multiple top-five finishes against Division I, II, and III opponents at the M City Classic. 

Head Coach Aaron Lund elected to send Liston to the Chuck Peterson Open, hosted by MSU-Mankato, with the goal of setting the school record in the 5000m, fresh off of a cross country season where she finished 41st at the NCAA Championships, just one spot away from All-American honors. It was clear that the heartbreak in Spartansburg, South Carolina fueled Liston, who crushed the previous school record of 17:30.02, set in 2006 by Kourtney Joyce, with a time of 17:11.07. The Richfield native maintained record-setting pace throughout the race, running 1000m times of 3:24.98, 3:25.29, 3:27.42, 3:29.41, and 3:23.97 to break the record. 

The other nine women for Gustavus traveled to Minneapolis to compete at the M City Classic, hosted by the University of Minnesota. Maddox Lee competed in the pentathlon for the Gusties, scoring 2455 to finish 16th, including tying a personal record in the high jump, clearing 1.44m. On the track, McKenzie Luetmer set her personal record with a time of 8.22 in the 60-meter, as the only person who ran the race for Gustavus. In the 60-meter hurdles, three Gusties advanced to the finals after qualifying in the prelims. In the finals, all three Gustavus women ran faster times than their prelim times, where sophomore Kayla Kajer set a personal record with a time of 9.64, first-year Sophia Vogel ran a time of 9.72, and sophomore Emily Podulke finished just a second slower with a time of 9.73 to finish sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively. Sophomore Teagan Stark was the only entrant for the Gustie women in the 400-meter, running a time of 1:05.26 to finish third in the event and classmate Ella Kienitz was the only entrant in the 600-meter, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:47.79. Two Gustavus women ran in the 300-meter, with Lauren Rocheford finishing in 11th with a time of 45.13 and Podulke with a time of 46.55. Luetmer and Vogel competed in the 200-meter, completing in times of 27.53 and 28.64 respectively. In the field, first-year Kaylee Hawks and Kajer both reached heights of 1.55m, good for second at the M City Classic.  

On the men’s side, first-year Amos Anderson started the season for the Gusties, running in the 60-meter prelims, placing 36th with a time of 7.71. In the 400-meter, first-year Luke Scheel led the Gustavus contingent with a time of 52.00 to finish 10th place, followed by Cohen Stursa with a time of 52.67 and Reese Blondin with a time of 53.77. Stursa was also the only entry in the 200-meter for the Gusties, finishing in a time of 24.17 for 19th. In the field, two Gusties competed in the long jump, Ben Wynia and Logan Sandmeyer. Wynia jumped a 6.07m mark, good for ninth place and Sandmeyer leaped to a 5.91m mark, finishing 10th. Three entrants competed in the pole vault, led by first-year Anderson and sophomore Alex Palmer, both vaulting over heights of 3.90m, with senior Joe Ream just behind them with a height of 3.75m. 

Gustavus track and field takes a few weeks off now, getting back to competition on January 17th, when the team competes at the Ole Opener, hosted by St. Olaf in Northfield. 

 


 





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Mens track & field kick start their indoor season at SDSU

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BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Jimmie men opened their indoor season with a strong first showing, posting competitive marks across sprint, distance, jump, and throw events.

Avery Ligon placed 20th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.17.

Xander Rath placed 35th in the 60 meter with a time of 7.43.

Conrad P. Baard placed 30th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.04, and 16th in the 400 meter with a time of 57.18.

Andrew Rexin placed 35th in the 200 meter with a time of 24.85, and 18th in the 400 meter with a time of 59.02.

Cael Church placed 15th in the 300 meter with a time of 37.43, and 12th in the 600 meter with a time of 1:26.90.

Clark Lortscher placed 5th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 8:57.81.

Cole Campbell placed 7th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:01.75.

Noah Sayler placed 10th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:16.42.

Aaron Devine placed 12th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:19.37.

Lucas Dahl placed 13th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 9:20.35.

Braeden Kinzler placed 14th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.51.

Payton Mukkada placed 15th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:22.69.

Gavyn Graham placed 18th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:37.02.

Adam Sobolik placed 19th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:38.14.

Landon Thompson placed 20th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:47.66.

Samuel Sampers placed 21st in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:50.89.

Kadin Marshall placed 24th in the 3000 meter with a time of 9:59.83.

Liam Pospisil placed 25th in the 3000 meter with a PR of 10:26.49.

Ethan Duval placed 3rd in the High Jump at 2.00m (6’6.75″), a PR.

Riley Johnson placed 10th in the High Jump at 1.80m (5’10.75″).

Trevor Waldo placed 17th in the Long Jump at 6.02m (19’9″).

Jayden Bittner placed 20th in the Long Jump at 5.75m (18’10.5″).

Brady Crabtree placed 14th in Pole Vault at 4.25m (13’11.25″), a PR.

Evan Schmit placed 11th in Shot Put at 14.59m (47’10.5″) and 20th in Weight Throw at 13.88m (45’6.5″), a PR.

Jobe Rystedt placed 16th in Shot Put at 13.56m (44’6″) and 26th in Weight Throw at 12.11m (39’8.75″).

WHATS NEXT?

The Jimmies return to action on Thursday, 11 December, competing at the Dakota Alumni Classic hosted by NDSU in Fargo, N.D.

 



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Miami Announces 2026 Schedule – University of Miami Athletics

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CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami track and field program announced its highly competitive 2026 indoor and outdoor schedules Friday, highlighted by three home meets at Cobb Stadium.

The Hurricanes open the season Jan. 16 in Gainesville, Fla., at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational before traveling to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Razorback Invitational on Jan. 30–31. The regular season continues at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, S.C., on Feb. 13–14.

The ACC Indoor Championships are set for Feb. 26–28 in Boston, Mass., while the NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 13–14 in Fayetteville.

Miami opens the outdoor season at home with a pair of meets, hosting the Hurricane Invitational on March 20–21 and the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on March 27–28.

The Hurricanes return to Gainesville for the Florida Relays on April 3–4 before hosting their final home meet of the season, the Hurricane Alumni Invitational, on April 10–11.

Miami then heads back to Gainesville for the Tom Jones Memorial on April 17–18 prior to competing at the historic Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., from April 23–25. The Hurricanes close the regular season at the UNF East Coast Relays in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 1–2.

Louisville, Ky., will host the ACC Outdoor Championships from May 14–16, while the NCAA East Prelims are set for May 27–30 in Lexington, Ky.

The 2026 season concludes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., from June 10–13.





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