- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,258,131
- Reaction score
- 59
The 2026 OSAA track and field season is wrapped up and it's time to decide who the best boys athlete across the Salem-Keizer area was this spring.
Area athletes won individual state titles in several events across all divisions. The Salem-area was well-represented on the podium across the OSAA state championships May 28-30 and these are the athletes that stood on it the tallest.
Here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal's boys track and field athlete of the year, sponsored by Maps Credit Union.
Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 14.
Arnold, a senior, won Class 4A's javelin with a 185-foot, 6-inch toss. Arnold improved upon his ninth-place finish in the event in 2025 and threw over 20 feet past his prior mark.
Barnett finished his senior season as dominant a thrower as any in Class 3A. Barnett cemented a state championship in discus by throwing 157-7 and claimed a silver medal in shot put with a 50-11 toss.
Chinchilla, a senior, was one of Class 3A's top hurdlers this spring. Chinchilla finished fourth at the state championships in the 110-meter hurdles in 15.57 seconds and finished second in the 300 hurdles (40.7).
Cirino, a senior, wrapped up a career among the best in Class 5A at the state championships. Cirino ran the 1,500 in 3:54.22 and the 3,000 in 8:21.48 for a pair of fifth-place finishes.
Cook was one of the top jumpers in Class 1A and gathered a pair of bronze medals at the state championships to show for it. Cook, a senior, finished third in high jump (5-10 1/2) and long jump (21-3/4), and also competed in triple jump.
Druliner capped off a meteoric rise to the top of the Oregon high jump scene with his first state title. The Foxes' junior jumped 6-6 for a state championship meet and finished his season with a 6-9 personal-best, which he hit at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays in April.
Hagen, a senior, closed an impressive mid-distance career with a successful state championship run. Hagen finished second in the Class 6A 800 in 1:51.81, the best finish of his career. Hagen additionally competed on the Titans' 4x400 relay at the meet.
Latta's upward trajectory in Class 5A throwing reached a major milestone his sophomore season. Latta won his first state championship by throwing 169-6 in discus, and he also earned seventh in shot put (49-2 1/4).
Metzger swarmed the podium as a sprinter at the Class 5A state championships. Metzger, a senior, was a member of the Foxes' state-title winning 4x100 relay (21.91) and claimed a pair of seconds in the 100 (10.81) and 200 (21.88).
Olivo, a senior, finished his junior season as a back-to-back state champion. Olivo won Class 6A's javelin (209-4) and at the Central Valley Conference district meet threw a winning 210-5, which was the 17th-best mark of any high schooler in the nation this spring. Additionally, Olivo claimed a state title in discus (174-0).
Singleton capped off a senior season with his second consecutive state championship in the 110 hurdles. Singleton ran a 14.47 for gold in the Class 6A event, and he also earned sixth in the 300 hurdles (39.95).
Stewart, a senior, closed his senior season by adding a silver medal to his state trophy cabinet. After winning the Class 6A high jump last spring with a 6-7 3/4 jump, Stewart leaped 6-8 1/4 for second place this year.
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vote for Maps Credit Union boys track and field athlete of year
Continue reading...
Area athletes won individual state titles in several events across all divisions. The Salem-area was well-represented on the podium across the OSAA state championships May 28-30 and these are the athletes that stood on it the tallest.
Here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal's boys track and field athlete of the year, sponsored by Maps Credit Union.
- Vinny Arnold, North Marion
- James Barnett, Blanchet Catholic
- Erick Chinchilla, Dayton
- Ty Cirino, Central
- Brandon Cook, St. Paul
- Caden Druliner, Silverton
- Anders Hagen, West Salem
- Bertram Latta, Dallas
- Wyatt Metzger, Silverton
- Derek Olivo, McNary
- Braxton Singleton, North Salem
- Calvin Stewart, South Salem
Information about each nominee is listed below. Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 14.
You must be registered for see images attach
Vinny Arnold, North Marion
Arnold, a senior, won Class 4A's javelin with a 185-foot, 6-inch toss. Arnold improved upon his ninth-place finish in the event in 2025 and threw over 20 feet past his prior mark.
You must be registered for see images
James Barnett, Blanchet Catholic
Barnett finished his senior season as dominant a thrower as any in Class 3A. Barnett cemented a state championship in discus by throwing 157-7 and claimed a silver medal in shot put with a 50-11 toss.
You must be registered for see images attach
Erick Chinchilla, Dayton
Chinchilla, a senior, was one of Class 3A's top hurdlers this spring. Chinchilla finished fourth at the state championships in the 110-meter hurdles in 15.57 seconds and finished second in the 300 hurdles (40.7).
You must be registered for see images attach
Ty Cirino, Central
Cirino, a senior, wrapped up a career among the best in Class 5A at the state championships. Cirino ran the 1,500 in 3:54.22 and the 3,000 in 8:21.48 for a pair of fifth-place finishes.
You must be registered for see images attach
Branson Cook, St. Paul
Cook was one of the top jumpers in Class 1A and gathered a pair of bronze medals at the state championships to show for it. Cook, a senior, finished third in high jump (5-10 1/2) and long jump (21-3/4), and also competed in triple jump.
You must be registered for see images attach
Caden Druliner, Silverton
Druliner capped off a meteoric rise to the top of the Oregon high jump scene with his first state title. The Foxes' junior jumped 6-6 for a state championship meet and finished his season with a 6-9 personal-best, which he hit at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays in April.
You must be registered for see images attach
Anders Hagen, West Salem
Hagen, a senior, closed an impressive mid-distance career with a successful state championship run. Hagen finished second in the Class 6A 800 in 1:51.81, the best finish of his career. Hagen additionally competed on the Titans' 4x400 relay at the meet.
You must be registered for see images attach
Bertram Latta, Dallas
Latta's upward trajectory in Class 5A throwing reached a major milestone his sophomore season. Latta won his first state championship by throwing 169-6 in discus, and he also earned seventh in shot put (49-2 1/4).
You must be registered for see images
Wyatt Metzger, Silverton
Metzger swarmed the podium as a sprinter at the Class 5A state championships. Metzger, a senior, was a member of the Foxes' state-title winning 4x100 relay (21.91) and claimed a pair of seconds in the 100 (10.81) and 200 (21.88).
You must be registered for see images attach
Derek Olivo, McNary
Olivo, a senior, finished his junior season as a back-to-back state champion. Olivo won Class 6A's javelin (209-4) and at the Central Valley Conference district meet threw a winning 210-5, which was the 17th-best mark of any high schooler in the nation this spring. Additionally, Olivo claimed a state title in discus (174-0).
You must be registered for see images attach
Braxton Singleton, North Salem
Singleton capped off a senior season with his second consecutive state championship in the 110 hurdles. Singleton ran a 14.47 for gold in the Class 6A event, and he also earned sixth in the 300 hurdles (39.95).
You must be registered for see images attach
Calvin Stewart, South Salem
Stewart, a senior, closed his senior season by adding a silver medal to his state trophy cabinet. After winning the Class 6A high jump last spring with a 6-7 3/4 jump, Stewart leaped 6-8 1/4 for second place this year.
You must be registered for see images attach
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Vote for Maps Credit Union boys track and field athlete of year
Continue reading...
