The Chronicle hosted its annual Athletes of the Year awards ceremony on Tuesday at Jester Auto Museum and Event Center in Chehalis.
More than 250 family members, friends, coaches and athletes attended the event to celebrate the accomplishments of youths from local high schools over the past year.
Thank you to all the sponsors who made this year's Chronicle Athletes of the Year awards possible:
One of the best wrestlers in W.F. West history and a stud on the gridiron, Land capped his athletic career as a Bearcat with a state wrestling title and another trip to the state semifinals in football.
Land earned a spot on the EvCo first-team on both sides of the ball, and he earned a spot as a receiver on the All-Area team for tallying 34 receptions, 572 yards, and 17 total touchdowns.
On defense, he tallied 49 tackles, including 12 for loss.
On the wrestling mat, Land became just the fourth Bearcat in school history to place all four years at Mat Classic. He capped his wrestling career with a state championship by going 5-0 at Mat Classic XXXVI.
The back-to-back Girls Athlete of the Year, Freeman led a star-studded group of Pirates to multiple deep state tournament runs.
On the volleyball court, she was named the C2BL MVP after logging 565 kills, 347 digs, 107 aces, and 15 blocks, and she also earned a spot on the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association All-State First-Team. With Freeman leading the way, the Pirates made the state championship game for the first time in school history.
On the hardwood, she won her second straight league MVP by averaging 25.7 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 steals, and four assists a night. Adna also made the state title game in Spokane.
She’s done both softball and track in the spring, hitting a home run and driving in nine runs to help Adna softball three-peat, and she also won a discus district championship in track and field.
Adna Fastpitch
The Pirates became the first 2B team and just the fourth team in the state to win three consecutive state tournaments, defeating Warden, Kittitas, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley, and Freeman to capture their 12th softball title in school history.
Rainier Girls Cross Country
The Mountaineers were no stranger to the podium in Pasco, but this past fall, they won their first cross country state championship in school history. They took down the then four-time defending state champion Pope John Paul II Eagles by just one point.
Adna Fastpitch
Rob Henry and Karissa Beckman, Rainier Girls Cross Country
Winner: Gage Brumfield, W.F. West
The All-Area and Evergreen Conference MVP spurred the Bearcats to their second Class 2A state semifinal game in three years. Bound for Eastern Washington University, he finished with an area-best 42 total touchdowns and over 2,600 yards of total offense.
Finalist – Rodrigo Rodriguez, Onalaska
A three-year starter for the Loggers, the outright C2BL East Division Defensive MVP and Co-Offensive MVP finished with an eye-popping 35 total touchdowns and nearing 2,000 all-purpose yards. He was the catalyst in pushing Onalaska to a state quarterfinal appearance.
Finalist – Karsen Denault, Napavine
The C2BL West Division MVP did it all for the Tigers on their way to the Class 2B state championship game. He had 14 receiving scores on 909 yards plus eight total kickoff and punt return touchdowns. He is heading to George Fox to continue his football career.
Finalist – Daniel Rodas, Oakville
Rodas was the Acorns’ No. 1 receiving option, tallying 1,454 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns while earning the Southwest 1B Offensive Player of the Year award and leading Oakville to a crossover.
Finalist – Jack Nelson, Napavine
A first-team selection on both the offensive and defensive line, Nelson tallied 59 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a sack while helping the Tigers reach the state championship game for the second consecutive year.
Winner – Gavin Cuoio, Tumwater
One of the Co-EvCo MVPs, Cuoio helped lead Tumwater to a league title and another state tournament berth.
Finalist – Dylan Stevens, Tumwater
Stevens shared Co-EvCo MVP honors with his teammate, ending his career with a fourth straight trip to the state tournament.
Finalist – Israel Lopez Cruz, W.F. West
The EvCo Offensive Player of the Year, Lopez Cruz led W.F. West to the district title game and the state tournament, where the Bearcats almost upset No. 2 Sehome.
Finalist – Miles Page, Centralia
A first-team EvCo selection, the senior scored nine goals and dished out five assists to help the Tigers reach the district tournament for the second season in a row.
Winner – Hannah Fay, Napavine
The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but how the Tigers played under first-year John Bates was through the midfield and that’s where the C2BL MVP shined. She scored 12 goals and recorded six assists, but came up clutch to lift Napavine to the 2B state quarterfinals.
Finalist – Kaiyah Sandridge, Onalaska
A multi-year starter that has been a catalyst in the Loggers’ run to now six straight state tournaments, the junior tallied an area-best 28 goals and added seven assists. She was named as the C2BL Offensive MVP.
Finalist – Emalyn Shaffer, Tumwater
Recognized by the Evergreen Conference as a top player in back-to-back seasons, the T-Birds striker earned her first career overall MVP behind 25 goals and four assists. She led Tumwater to a regular season league title and a game away from the state tournament.
Winner – Karsen Denault, Napavine
The C2BL MVP averaged 20.3 points, 9.2 points, 4.0 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game while shooting 46 percent from the field to lead the Tigers to another state tournament apperance and a third-place finish in the district tournament.
Finalist – Austin Gonia, Tenino
Gonia was a vital part of Tenino’s turnaround as he scored 19.1 points and added 8.6 rebounds per game to lead the Beavers to the state tournament and earn 1A Evergreen League MVP honors.
Finalist – James Morgan, Black Hills
The EvCo MVP helped lead Black Hills to its first league title since 2020, scoring 15 points a game while also averaging 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Finalist – Cooper Fallon, Toledo
Fallon was a walking double-double, as he posted 15.7 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game to lead Toledo to its first district title and state tournament appearance since 2019.
Winner – Julia Dalan, W.F. West
The Portland commit won her third consecutive EvCo MVP award, averaging 21.2 points and 14.2 rebounds. She now stands as the school’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocks, and she helped the Bearcats finish sixth at the state tournament.
Finalist – Karsyn Freeman, Adna
Freeman earned her second-straight C2BL MVP award, averaging 25.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 steals, and four rebounds per game, leading the Pirates to a second-place finish at the state tournament.
Finalist – Karli Phelps, Pe Ell
Another back-to-back league MVP, Phelps averaged 13.5 points and more than four assists, rebounds, and steals per game to help lead the Trojans to a district championship and the state tournament.
Finalist – Hayden Kaut, Napavine
Kaut helped lead the Tigers on another deep postseason run, averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 42 percent from the field to guide Napavine to a third-place finish at state and earn first-team All-C2BL honors.
Winner – Tucker Land, W.F. West
A four-time placer at Mat Classic, Land capped his career with his first state championship and finished his senior season 28-1.
Finalist – Peyton Hernandez, Napavine
Hernandez bounced back from a semifinal loss at state to take third-place at Mat Classic XXXVI and finish the season 38-2.
Finalist – Ronin Blair, Centralia
Blair went the long way to take third at Mat Classic, winning four straight matches after dropping a quarterfinal to take third and finish 27-6 on the year.
Finalist – Roberto Rivera-Jesus, Black Hills
Rivera-Jesus finished 32-3 on the season, making it all the way to the state championship match before taking second at Mat Classic XXXVI.
Winner – Sloane Kruger, Black Hills
Kruger finished her Black Hills career with a perfect season, going 48-0 and winning a state championship. After earning a first-round bye at state, Kruger won via pin and tech fall twice before winning the state championship via major decision.
Finalist – Kaylee Lehman, W.F. West
Lehman won a state championship, pinning her first three opponents at Mat Classic XXXVI before winning the state title match by decision to finish the season 29-3.
Finalist – Chloe Willis, Rainier
Willis pinned her way to a state championship, as she pinned all four of her opponents en route to winning the first state title in Rainier girls’ wrestling history.
Winner – Karsyn Freeman, Adna
Freeman proved to be one of the best hitters in the state, regardless of classification. She ended her senior season with 565 kills, 347 digs and over 100 aces to snare C2BL MVP honors.
Finalist – Kendall Humphrey, Adna
A former C2BL MVP made her mark in her final season for the Pirates, helping them reach the Class 2B state title game. The outside hitter finished with 364 kills, nearly 300 digs, 65 blocks, 48 aces.
Finalist – Emalie Jacoby, Onalaska
Jacoby reset the school record books with most kills in a season at 409 this fall. Her tallies of 469 digs, 65 aces and a serving percentage of 93 were also high marks for Onalaska. She also earned first team all-league honors.
Finalist – Gaby Guard, Adna
Another part of Adna’s historic senior class. Guard was a first-team C2BL honoree, logging 1,095 assists, 277 digs, 48 aces, and 30 blocks to help the Pirates reach the state championship game.
Winner – Savanna Hoyt-Siler, W.F. West
Hoyt-Siler placed eighth at the 1A/2A State Tournament in Tukwila, earning her second straight state tournament medal. She also won her second consecutive individual district scoring title while leading the Bearcats to their third straight team district title.
Finalist – Neveah Williams, Tumwater
Williams was the second-highest area finisher at the 1A/2A State Tournament, averaging 163 points per game in Tukwila to finish 13th.
Finalist – Ella Goheen, Black Hills
Goheen scored 158 points per game at the state tournament en route to finishing tied for 16th.
Winner – Treyton Marty, Toledo
The senior dominated from the first meet to the end with an area-best eight victories and helped the Riverhawks reach the Class 2B state meet as a team. He won his first-ever district title and placed third at state for the second straight fall.
Finalist – Gunnar Morgan, Rochester
A two-time state qualifier in Class 2A, the Warriors top runner shined in his first year in 1A by winning the District 4 individual title. He placed the highest at state his senior year at 18th overall. He also set a new PR of 16 minutes, 1.9 seconds.
Finalist – Vanson Armstrong, Morton-White Pass
In his first year going out for cross country, the junior made an instant impact for the Timberwolves, who reached the state tournament as a team. He finished top-10 in league and districts and placed 19th at state.
Winner – Komaire Robles, Rainier
It didn’t take long to see the impact from a freshman that finished top-five in all but two meets for the Mountaineers. She only won twice, but her second victory was on her home course at the Class 2B District 4 meet. She set a new PR at state of 20 minutes, 0.5 seconds.
Finalist – Madison Ingram, Rainier
In her second year with the Mountaineers, the most experienced runner in their lineup helped them win their first-ever Class 2B team state title in the fall. She captured her second straight C2BL title and medaled for the second straight state meet.
Finalist – Alexandra Broome, Tumwater
If nothing else, the Thunderbirds best runner was consistent in her second varsity season. The sophomore recorded five runner-up finishes and broke 20 minutes for the first time in her career. She placed 40th at the state meet, a five-spot improvement from 2023.
Winner – Zander and Jacoby Corwin, Centralia
The Corwin brothers dominated their opponents all season long. They won the sub-district title and made it all the way to the state championship match before finishing second.
Finalist – Javyn Han, W.F. West
Han won the sub-district championship, finished second in the district tournament and went 2-2 in the state tournament to finish seventh and earn a state medal.
Finalist – Bodie Jackson, Tumwater
Jackson finished second in subs and third in districts to punch his ticket to the state tournament in Seattle.
Winner – Emma Hamilton, W.F. West
Hamilton qualified for her first state tournament and finished just one match shy of a medal in Seattle.
Finalist – Manta Ceesay and Ellie Mittge, W.F. West
Ceesay and Mittge won the sub-district tournament and grabbed an alternate spot at the state tournament.
Finalist – Esther Hopkins, Centralia
Hopkins finished third in sub-districts and finished just one win shy of a state tournament berth.
Winner – Trevin Salme, Adna
Not only did Salme win the district championship, but he became the first Adna golfer to win a state title by shooting a 147 across two days in Liberty Lake.
Finalist – Phoenix Flores, Black Hills
Flores won the EvCo Tournament, tied for 12th at the district tournament, and made the cut at the state tournament in Tumwater.
Finalist – Joshua Peralta, Rainier
Peralta finished second in the district tournament and qualified for the state tournament in Liberty Lake.
Winner – Lily Peralta, Rainier
Peralta won the district title by 16 strokes, and she went on to tie for second at the state tournament in Liberty Lake.
Finalist – Ellie Johnson, Black Hills
Johnson also won a district title with ease, and she also earned a top-10 finish at state by taking seventh at the state meet in Tumwater.
Finalist – Kalli Christen, Adna
Christen finished fifth at the district tournament and carried that momentum into state, where she finished 17th in Liberty Lake.
Winner – Deacon Meller, W.F. West
Meller led the Bearcats to the district title game and the state tournament, hitting .500 and posting an on-base percentage of .640, while driving in 19 runs and setting a new single-season school steals record by swiping 31 bags on 33 attempts.
Finalist – Danner Hoinowski, Adna
One of the best pure hitters in the area, Hoinowski slashed .478/.544/.644, drove in 22 runs, and was a stalwart defensively behind the dish to lead the Pirates to the district title game and the state tournament. Hoinowski is set to continue his baseball career at Linfield University.
Finalist – Liam Smaciarz, PWV
Another Linfield commit, Smaciarz kept P2BL hitters guessing all season long. He allowed just seven earned runs all season, posting a 1.04 earned run average and striking out 57 hitters across 47 innings. He also hit .400 at the plate and had an OPS of 1.304, hitting two home runs and driving in 29.
Finalist – Easton Kolb, Mossyrock
Mossyrock’s ace allowed just nine earned runs all season on the mound, posting an ERA of 1.21 and striking out 100 batters across 52 innings. He added a .477 batting average at the plate and an on-base percentage of .646 while hitting four home runs and driving in 17 runs.
Winner – Danika Hallom, Adna
Hallom slashed .565/.629/.906 at the plate, hitting five home runs and driving in 45 runs while also providing stellar defense behind the plate to lead the Pirates to an unprecedented 2B three-peat.
Finalist – Ella Ferguson, Tumwater
The Sacramento State commit was dominant on both sides of the ball, posting a 1.35 ERA and striking out 172 batters in 103.2 innings in the circle while hitting .439 and blasting five home runs at the plate to lead Tumwater to a district title and a top-four finish at state.
Finalist – Layna Demers, Rochester
The Warriors’ ace posted a 1.62 ERA and struck out 126 batters in the circle, and she added five home runs and 41 RBIs at the plate to lead Rochester to the 1A State Championship Game.
Winner – Blake Kirkpatrick, Tumwater
Kirkpatrick won district titles in both the 100 and 200 and also ran on both winning relay teams before taking fifth in the 100 and third in the 200 at the state meet in Tacoma. He also ran on the state-winning 4x100 relay team and the state runner-up 4x400 team.
Finalist – Carson Schall, Tenino
Schall won both hurdles races at districts before placing third in both events at the state meet in Yakima a week later.
Finalist – Justice Werner, Onalaska
Werner ran on the district-winning 4x100 relay team while also winning a district shot put title and finished second in the discus before placing in the top four in both the discus and shot put at the state meet in Yakima.
Winner – Amanda Bennett, W.F. West
Bennett won a district title in the javelin and finished as the runner-up in pole vault before winning a state pole vault title and placing third in javelin at state. She will continue her track and field career at Lane Community College.
Finalist – Karsyn Freeman, Adna
Freeman was on both of the district-winning Adna relay teams, and she also finished as the district winner in discus and district runner-up in javelin before taking second in the discus at state.
Finalist – Victoria Sancho, Winlock
Sancho set a school record in the triple jump earlier this season before winning the district and state title in the 200-meter and finishing second in the 100-meter at state and districts. She also finished second in the triple jump at districts and third at state.
Finalist – Janess Blackburn, Rainier
Blackburn finished second in the discus at districts before winning a state discus title in Yakima a week later. Her season best throw of 139 feet, 5 inches at the C2BL Championships was the best mark of any 2B female all season.
Winner – Suki Bringman, Centralia
Bringman wrote her own story in her first year as the Tigers’ best swimmer. She registered three top-15 finishes at state, including a 10th place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. She finished 11th in the 500 free and 13th in the 50 free.
Finalist – Makayla Sarsfield, Tumwater
One of the handful of returners for the Thunderbirds showed out in her final state meet. She recorded an 11th place performance in the 100-yard breaststroke and swam a leg in both of their top-25 relays.
Finalist – Anna Nguyen, Centralia
A freshman that solidified her role in a couple events, she made her mark in the relays and the 200-yard individual medley. Her time of 2 minutes, 30.05 seconds placed her 15th in the 200 IM and she was a part of the 400 freestyle relay.
It has been our pleasure to report on the accomplishments and triumphs of area student athletes this season.
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