2023 - 2024
Community Beacons
Community "Beacons" are different than the Beacons nominated and chosen by the individual schools. While the school-identified Beacons are people important to the individual schools, the community Beacons are people for whom particular mascots and colors are less important. These are not just successful people - many people are successful as measured by wealth and notoriety. No, these are people who have reached their status in our community by being willing to help. These are people we turn to in times of need. Whether a community swimming facility, turf fields, support in the way of advertising, donations, or sponsorship of local youth athletic teams, these are the members of our community who rarely say no to our kids. They are truly "Beacons of Excellence and Leadership through Athletics".
Community Beacons Presenter, Pete Hoffert and Don Kerzel: Alan Bushong and John Piper
School Beacons
School "Beacons" are those people, as identified by each school, who have been involved in the respective athletic program of that school. These are people who have (or may still be) furthering the mission of developing students who "focus on excellence in academics, leadership, character development, and competition as a vital part of the educational experience." These honorees can range from great Salem-Keizer athletes to great coaches to great supporters. What they cannot be is without great character, great integrity, and a much bigger picture of what athletics can do for young people. These Beacons are proud Royal Scots, Celtics, Vikings, Saxons, Olympians, and Titans.
Athlete and Coach of the Year Award Winners
Coach of the Year
Jesse “Max” Price
In 2023 the South Salem baseball team baseball team finished #2 in the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) 6A grade point average (GPA) rankings with a 3.71. In '24 the Saxons inproved their team GPA to 3.72 and finished 3rd.
In '23 the baseball team finished with the highest winning percentage in South Salem history at 22-4, a winning percentage of 84.6. The '24 team ended the season in the semifinals with a record of 25-4.
Coach Price's two year record of 47-8 has been accomplished with mostly underclassmen. The '24 season included only one senior.
South Salem won the Central Valley Conference (CVC) in both '23 and '24.
Coach Price was the CVC Coach of the Year in both '23 and '24.
During his seven year tenure as head coach, Coach Price has had 3 teams make it to the semifinals of the OSAA tournament.
Probably his most impressive baseball accomplishment at South Salem occurred with the 2023 season. Due to vandalism of their home site – Gilmore Field - South Salem played every game of the '23 season “on the road”, having no real “home” field upon which to practice or play games. Under Price's leadership, his Saxon team overcame the hardship to win a conference title, put together the aforementioned 22-4 record, and earned a playoff spot.
Coach Price is not just an accomplished baseball coach but an equally accomplished teacher of Language Arts, winning a Crystal Apple award in 2024.
Salem-Keizer
Athlete of the Year Winners
Boys Track and Field
Mihaly Akpamgbo: West Salem
Boys Track and Field Presenter: Soren Sorensen
Girls Track and Field
Isabel Zamora Mercado: McKay
Girls Track and Field Presenter: Don Berger
Fall Sports Nominees
Football
Hatimu Letisi – South Salem
Athan Palmateer – South Salem
Jamahl Wilson – North Salem
Volleyball
Brooke Friesen – Sprague
Sidney Friesen – Sprague
Malena Mathis – South Salem
Boys Cross Country
Justin Bell – West Salem
Garrett Fenske – West Salem
Jack Meier – West Salem
Girls Cross Country
Nelida Dalgas – North Salem
Gitte Lonigan – West Salem
Avery Meier – West Salem
Boys Soccer
Anthony Flores - North Salem
Andrew O'Dell – West Salem
Jonathan Ruiz – McNary
Girls Soccer
Maya Alston – McNary
Morgan Duke – West Salem
Amity Rogers - Sprague
Winter Sports Nominees
Boys Basketball
Steven Adams - McNary
Jackson Leach - West
Jarod Stanley - Sprague
Girls Basketball
Avery Buss - McNary
Sadie Paterson - South Salem
Emma Zuniga - West Salem
Boys Swimming
Jackson Brown - Sprague
Jarrod Coy - West Salem
Licos Navarro - South Salem
Girls Swimming
Sophia Buswell - South Salem
Abby Evans - West Salem
Odelya Laroya - West Salem
Boys Wrestling
Cougar Bailey - West Salem
Andrey Cernev - Sprague
Kenya Johnson - Sprague
Girls Wrestling
Reese Lawson - West Salem
Ali Martinez - McNary
Mariko Sonis - North Salem
Spring Sports Nominees
Boys Golf
Elijah Clendening - McNary
Riley Quillin - West Salem
Clayton Watters - Sprague
Girls Golf
Emily Keel - Sprague
Isabella Morrow - Sprague
Riley Sparkman - West Salem
Boys Track and Field
Mihaly Akpamgbo - West Salem
Logan Hilty - West Salem
Abdoulie Jallow - McKay
Baseball
Carter Nelson - South Salem
Gavin Price - South Salem
Teagan Scott - South Salem
Softball
Braeli Martin- West Salem
Callie Stubbs - Sprague
Rowan Thompson - South Salem
Girls Track and Field
Jackie Bier - North Salem
Avery Meier - West Salem
Isabel Zamora Mercado - McKay
Boys Tennis
Jabin Barkes - Sprague
Lincoln Basl /Jacob Hoda (doubles) - Sprague
Noah Leichty - South Salem
Girls Tennis
Anna Ainsworth - Sprague
Sadie Paterson - South Salem
Tirzah Tarbox - Sprague