​The 2025-26 school year has come to a close, and it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the season’s standout moments and accomplishments. The year featured a full slate of honors across the athletics spectrum: Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, and Program of the Year, with voting still underway to determine those top distinctions. In the Salem-Keizer area, the year’s events underscored how freshmen can lay the groundwork for a thriving athletic program, establishing roots that will support future success and, at times, even tilt the balance in state championships. The 2025-26 season in this region delivered just that, setting the stage for continued excellence.
Without further delay, here are the nominees for the Statesman Journal’s Freshman of the Year, brought to you by Maps Credit Union.
– Naomi Bogan, South Salem girls track and field
– Gavin Chin, Crosshill Christian baseball
– Scout Haugen, Silverton girls track and field
– Frankie Koehnke, Regis girls basketball
– Lusambo Washikala, North Salem boys soccer
– Autumn Palmer, South Salem girls basketball
– Cesar Perez, Stayton boys soccer
– Emmy Riley, Dayton softball
– Ava Sanchez, Central girls track and field
– Autumn Siegel, McNary softball
Cast your vote for your favorite at statesmanjournal.com/sports. The poll closes at noon on Sunday, July 19.
Athlete of the Week spotlighted Naomi Bogan of South Salem and Liliana Eckert of West Salem as they battled for possession in a girls soccer match on October 7, 2025, in West Salem. Bogan, in her first season as a sprinter for the Saxons’ track and field squad, distinguished herself by winning multiple events and capturing a notable second place in the 100-meter dash at the Central Valley Conference district meet. Her versatility extended to soccer as well, where she earned Central Valley honorable mention and contributed to the Saxons’ 8-7-1 record and second-place finish in the CVC before their first-round exit from the 6A state tournament.
Crosshill Christian’s Gavin Chin stood out as a freshman contributor on an Eagles baseball team that exceeded expectations, breaking ahead of schedule to reach the 2A/1A state championship game. In the championship, Chin was one of only two players to record a hit for Crosshill Christian. He played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ 26-3 season, helping them win the Special District 3 title and post the state’s best 379 runs scored. Chin’s contributions helped propel the team to new heights and underscored the impact a skilled freshman can have on a program.
Silverton’s Scout Haugen claimed a state title in the high jump at the OSAA 5A track and field championships with a leap of 5 feet, 5 3/4 inches. As a newcomer for Silverton, Haugen’s historic performance didn’t stop there; she then set an Oregon freshman record with a 5-foot, 9 1/4-inch result at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays on April 24, the highest jump by any American freshman this spring. That mark also stands as the highest leap achieved by any Oregonian in the spring season, marking an extraordinary milestone not just for Haugen, but for local athletics as a whole. Haugen’s breakthrough season signals a remarkable trajectory for both her and the program as they continue to push for national recognition.
These achievements highlight the impact that freshmen can have on their teams and communities, contributing to memorable seasons and setting the stage for future success.