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The 2025-26 school year is over and Salem-Keizer area athletes across all sports delivered historic, championship-level campaigns.
Salem-Keizer girls athletes and teams won state titles in nearly every OSAA sanctioned sport, but it’s time to decide which athlete was the very best.
Athletes from area schools boast several state player of the year awards, individual state titles and some even earned state and national recognition.
Without further ado, here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal’s girls Athlete of the Year, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
Vote for who you think should win at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 28.
A senior outside hitter, Brewer helped lead the Olympians volleyball team to a Central Valley Conference championship and an OSAA 6A state finals appearance. Brewer collected a first-team all-conference bid, as well as state tournament first-team honors and player of the game in the state championship. Brewer also claimed first-team all-state honors.
Brewer additionally competed on the Olympians' track and field team, where she reached the OSAA state championships in the triple jump. She’s committed to San Diego to further her volleyball career.
Burlison, a senior, was named co-player of the year in Central Valley Conference girls basketball and collected first-team honors. She crossed the 1,000-career point threshold in early February and helped lead the Saxons to a 20-6 record and a second-round playoff appearance.
Burlsion won the Beacon Award for girls basketball and is committed to continuing her basketball career at George Fox University.
Dalgas completed a three-year sweep of the Central Valley Conference championship cross-country race in the fall. North Salem’s star senior then finished second at the OSAA 6A state championships.
Dalgas closes her high school career as one of the most decorated runners to ever come from the Salem-Keizer area and is signed on to the Oregon Ducks' track and field program.
Silverton's two-sport star in the spring walked out of her junior season with a Class 5A track and field individual state title in shot put. Ehrens held the division's top mark from her opening meet all the way to the finish — all while hitting seven home runs in softball.
On the diamond, Ehrens raked in Mid-Willamette Conference player of the year and 5A all-state first-team honors.
Friesen was named the Central Valley Conference volleyball player of the year for the second season in a row in the fall. Friesen, a junior setter, led a conference-championship campaign that ended in the 6A state championship game, where she earned first-team all-tournament and later first-team all-state honors.
Friesen also won the Beacon Award for volleyball.
Haugen, a freshman, laid the groundwork for a storied track and field career with her first high jump state title in Class 5A's OSAA state championships. Her personal-best high jump mark this spring, 5 feet, 9¼ inches, hit multiple benchmarks. It's an Oregon all-time freshman record, the best mark of any girl in Oregon this spring and the highest mark of any freshman in the United States this season.
Hughes, a junior, won a pair of Class 3A titles at the OSAA track and field state championships. Hughes’ dominant season amongst Oregon’s best resulted in a discus and javelin titles, one of few athletes to win multiple events at the championship meet.
She’s up to three state championships in the sport throughout her career with an exciting senior season on the horizon.
Johnston, a junior golfer, helped the Crusaders to their third consecutive 4A/3A/2A/1A state championship. Individually, Johnston claimed the top spot with a pair of 75-stroke (+3) days as Salem Academy won the event by 59 strokes.
She’s added an individual state title to an already historic high school career on the golf course with a year to go.
Koehnke, a freshman, helped the Rams to a 2A girls basketball title. She scored 16 points in the championship game and earned unanimous first-team all-tournament honors. Koehnke also earned first-team all-conference, Tri-River Conference player of the year and 2A state player of the year.
Koehnke also received all-state honorable mention on the track by finishing sixth in the 4x400-meter relay at the OSAA state championships.
Martinez, a junior, won an individual wrestling state title in the 6A/5A 115-pound state bracket. It’s her second consecutive state championship as she’s quickly becoming one of the most decorated high school wrestlers from the Salem-Keizer area. Martinez's win at state, and at the 6A/5A Special District 3 meet, spearheaded a historic season that ended with a 54-4 record.
Morley, a sophomore, won a 4A javelin state title at the track and field state meet. Her personal best (140-9) is the fourth-best mark across all divisions in Oregon and the third-best mark of any high school sophomore in the nation.
Morley, additionally, was a crucial member of the Eagles' basketball team that marched through the Oregon West Conference and won its second consecutive state title.
Nisly, a senior, helped lead the Warriors' basketball team to their second straight 3A state championship and earned first-team all-tournament honors. Nisly was named 3A state player of the year, along with PacWest player of the year and first-team all-conference recognition.
Nisly additionally earned first-team all-state on the soccer field as the Warriors stormed to a 3A/2A/1A state championship and conference title.
Nisly, a senior soccer player, was named 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 player of the year for her impressive senior season from a forward/midfield role. Nisly scored 32 goals, the sixth most in the state across all divisions, and assisted 12 as she wrapped up a historic soccer career with conference and state championships.
Nisly also helped the Warriors' basketball team to their second straight OSAA 3A state championship. Nisly received first-team all-state tournament, second-team all-state and first-team all-PacWest Conference honors.
Samek, a junior basketball player, earned Class 4A’s player of the year, first-team all-Oregon West Conference and conference player of the year. She averaged 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.8 steals per game as the Eagles claimed their second consecutive state championship.
Samek was also the Eagles’ outside hitter/setter on the volleyball team and was named to the all-Oregon West Conference first team. Samek and the Eagles delivered a 7-3 conference record to finish third and earn a playoff berth.
Siegel, a senior softball player, led an impressive campaign for the Celtics that resulted in the Central Valley Conference championship. Siegel slugged 38 RBIs and earned first-team all-state and first-team all-CVC as McNary reached the second round of the 6A state tournament.
Tabib, a sophomore wrestler, won the 155-pound bracket at the 6A/5A state championships from the 13 seed. She placed third in the Special District 3 meet but went on a run of dominance to claim a gold medal at state. She pinned three of four opponents in the tournament, including her championship matchup.
Tabib was also a member of the Dragons’ softball team that went 14-0 in-conference to win a Mid-Willamette Conference championship.
Zuidema finished her junior season as one of the most decorated track and field throwers across all divisions by earning the rare triple crown at the Class 2A state championships. Zuidema won the shot put, discus and javelin to become the first girl in Oregon to win all three throwing events in the same state championship meet since 1992.
Zuniga, a senior basketball player, was voted Central Valley Conference co-player of the year and earned first-team all-conference. Zuniga and the Titans won the CVC with an undefeated 9-0 conference record and made it to the 6A state quarterfinals.
Zuniga is signed on to Portland State University to continue her basketball career.
Zuniga, a senior wrestler, won a state title in the 6A/5A 190-pound state bracket. She pinned her way through the entire tournament until winning her championship bout by major decision, 14-5. Zuniga also won a Special District 3 title for the Titans in what was a dominant final high school wrestling campaign.
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: Who should be Maps Salem-area girls Athlete of the Year? Vote now!
Continue reading...
Salem-Keizer girls athletes and teams won state titles in nearly every OSAA sanctioned sport, but it’s time to decide which athlete was the very best.
Athletes from area schools boast several state player of the year awards, individual state titles and some even earned state and national recognition.
Without further ado, here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal’s girls Athlete of the Year, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
You must be registered for see images attach
- Emma Brewer, Sprague
- Emma Burlison, South Salem
- Nelida Dalgas, North Salem
- Madalynn Ehrens, Silverton
- Brooke Friesen, Sprague
- Scout Haugen, Silverton
- Hadley Hughes, Dayton
- Chloe Johnston, Salem Academy
- Frankie Koehnke, Regis
- Marlina Martinez, McNary
- Mila Morley, Stayton
- Adie Nisly, Amity
- Eliza Nisly, Amity
- Kathryn Samek, Stayton
- Violet Siegel, McNary
- Khadija Tabib, Dallas
- Kasey Zuidema, Crosshill Christian
- Emma Zuniga, West Salem
- Sophia Zuniga, West Salem
Vote for who you think should win at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon Sunday, June 28.
You must be registered for see images attach
Emma Brewer, Sprague
A senior outside hitter, Brewer helped lead the Olympians volleyball team to a Central Valley Conference championship and an OSAA 6A state finals appearance. Brewer collected a first-team all-conference bid, as well as state tournament first-team honors and player of the game in the state championship. Brewer also claimed first-team all-state honors.
Brewer additionally competed on the Olympians' track and field team, where she reached the OSAA state championships in the triple jump. She’s committed to San Diego to further her volleyball career.
You must be registered for see images attach
Emma Burlison, South Salem
Burlison, a senior, was named co-player of the year in Central Valley Conference girls basketball and collected first-team honors. She crossed the 1,000-career point threshold in early February and helped lead the Saxons to a 20-6 record and a second-round playoff appearance.
Burlsion won the Beacon Award for girls basketball and is committed to continuing her basketball career at George Fox University.
You must be registered for see images attach
Nelida Dalgas, North Salem
Dalgas completed a three-year sweep of the Central Valley Conference championship cross-country race in the fall. North Salem’s star senior then finished second at the OSAA 6A state championships.
Dalgas closes her high school career as one of the most decorated runners to ever come from the Salem-Keizer area and is signed on to the Oregon Ducks' track and field program.
You must be registered for see images attach
Madalynn Ehrens, Silverton
Silverton's two-sport star in the spring walked out of her junior season with a Class 5A track and field individual state title in shot put. Ehrens held the division's top mark from her opening meet all the way to the finish — all while hitting seven home runs in softball.
On the diamond, Ehrens raked in Mid-Willamette Conference player of the year and 5A all-state first-team honors.
You must be registered for see images attach
Brooke Friesen, Sprague
Friesen was named the Central Valley Conference volleyball player of the year for the second season in a row in the fall. Friesen, a junior setter, led a conference-championship campaign that ended in the 6A state championship game, where she earned first-team all-tournament and later first-team all-state honors.
Friesen also won the Beacon Award for volleyball.
You must be registered for see images attach
Scout Haugen, Silverton
Haugen, a freshman, laid the groundwork for a storied track and field career with her first high jump state title in Class 5A's OSAA state championships. Her personal-best high jump mark this spring, 5 feet, 9¼ inches, hit multiple benchmarks. It's an Oregon all-time freshman record, the best mark of any girl in Oregon this spring and the highest mark of any freshman in the United States this season.
You must be registered for see images attach
Hadley Hughes, Dayton
Hughes, a junior, won a pair of Class 3A titles at the OSAA track and field state championships. Hughes’ dominant season amongst Oregon’s best resulted in a discus and javelin titles, one of few athletes to win multiple events at the championship meet.
She’s up to three state championships in the sport throughout her career with an exciting senior season on the horizon.
You must be registered for see images attach
Chloe Johnston, Salem Academy
Johnston, a junior golfer, helped the Crusaders to their third consecutive 4A/3A/2A/1A state championship. Individually, Johnston claimed the top spot with a pair of 75-stroke (+3) days as Salem Academy won the event by 59 strokes.
She’s added an individual state title to an already historic high school career on the golf course with a year to go.
You must be registered for see images attach
Frankie Koehnke, Regis
Koehnke, a freshman, helped the Rams to a 2A girls basketball title. She scored 16 points in the championship game and earned unanimous first-team all-tournament honors. Koehnke also earned first-team all-conference, Tri-River Conference player of the year and 2A state player of the year.
Koehnke also received all-state honorable mention on the track by finishing sixth in the 4x400-meter relay at the OSAA state championships.
You must be registered for see images attach
Marlina Martinez, McNary
Martinez, a junior, won an individual wrestling state title in the 6A/5A 115-pound state bracket. It’s her second consecutive state championship as she’s quickly becoming one of the most decorated high school wrestlers from the Salem-Keizer area. Martinez's win at state, and at the 6A/5A Special District 3 meet, spearheaded a historic season that ended with a 54-4 record.
You must be registered for see images attach
Milay Morley, Stayton
Morley, a sophomore, won a 4A javelin state title at the track and field state meet. Her personal best (140-9) is the fourth-best mark across all divisions in Oregon and the third-best mark of any high school sophomore in the nation.
Morley, additionally, was a crucial member of the Eagles' basketball team that marched through the Oregon West Conference and won its second consecutive state title.
You must be registered for see images
Adie Nisly, Amity
Nisly, a senior, helped lead the Warriors' basketball team to their second straight 3A state championship and earned first-team all-tournament honors. Nisly was named 3A state player of the year, along with PacWest player of the year and first-team all-conference recognition.
Nisly additionally earned first-team all-state on the soccer field as the Warriors stormed to a 3A/2A/1A state championship and conference title.
You must be registered for see images
Eliza Nisly, Amity
Nisly, a senior soccer player, was named 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 player of the year for her impressive senior season from a forward/midfield role. Nisly scored 32 goals, the sixth most in the state across all divisions, and assisted 12 as she wrapped up a historic soccer career with conference and state championships.
Nisly also helped the Warriors' basketball team to their second straight OSAA 3A state championship. Nisly received first-team all-state tournament, second-team all-state and first-team all-PacWest Conference honors.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kathryn Samek, Stayton
Samek, a junior basketball player, earned Class 4A’s player of the year, first-team all-Oregon West Conference and conference player of the year. She averaged 19.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.8 steals per game as the Eagles claimed their second consecutive state championship.
Samek was also the Eagles’ outside hitter/setter on the volleyball team and was named to the all-Oregon West Conference first team. Samek and the Eagles delivered a 7-3 conference record to finish third and earn a playoff berth.
You must be registered for see images attach
Violet Siegel, McNary
Siegel, a senior softball player, led an impressive campaign for the Celtics that resulted in the Central Valley Conference championship. Siegel slugged 38 RBIs and earned first-team all-state and first-team all-CVC as McNary reached the second round of the 6A state tournament.
You must be registered for see images attach
Khadija Tabib, Dallas
Tabib, a sophomore wrestler, won the 155-pound bracket at the 6A/5A state championships from the 13 seed. She placed third in the Special District 3 meet but went on a run of dominance to claim a gold medal at state. She pinned three of four opponents in the tournament, including her championship matchup.
Tabib was also a member of the Dragons’ softball team that went 14-0 in-conference to win a Mid-Willamette Conference championship.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kasey Zuidema, Crosshill Christian
Zuidema finished her junior season as one of the most decorated track and field throwers across all divisions by earning the rare triple crown at the Class 2A state championships. Zuidema won the shot put, discus and javelin to become the first girl in Oregon to win all three throwing events in the same state championship meet since 1992.
You must be registered for see images
Emma Zuniga, West Salem
Zuniga, a senior basketball player, was voted Central Valley Conference co-player of the year and earned first-team all-conference. Zuniga and the Titans won the CVC with an undefeated 9-0 conference record and made it to the 6A state quarterfinals.
Zuniga is signed on to Portland State University to continue her basketball career.
You must be registered for see images attach
Sophia Zuniga, West Salem
Zuniga, a senior wrestler, won a state title in the 6A/5A 190-pound state bracket. She pinned her way through the entire tournament until winning her championship bout by major decision, 14-5. Zuniga also won a Special District 3 title for the Titans in what was a dominant final high school wrestling campaign.
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: Who should be Maps Salem-area girls Athlete of the Year? Vote now!
Continue reading...
