​Concord Zephyrs’ Jason Stevens, wearing number 27, celebrates a second-inning home run in Game 1 against the Redding Colt .45s on June 26, 2026. (Brett Abrams/Record Searchlight)
The 2025-26 academic year is behind us, yet certain athletes from the Shasta County area will be remembered for a long time for their athletic prowess and versatility. While some athletes focus on a single sport, many in the Redding region pursued multi-sport schedules, keeping them in season-long training and competition throughout the year. Now the time has come for readers to help choose the Record Searchlight’s 2026 Boys Athlete of the Year.
The pool of nominees has been narrowed to 12 athletes, each of whom competed in at least two sports during the just-concluded school year. The final selections were influenced by individual statistics, recognitions, and the overall success of their teams. Read about what each candidate achieved during the 2025-26 year and cast your vote. Voting is limited to one ballot per person per hour and will stay open through Thursday, June 16.
Bryce Owens, Senior, Red Bluff
Red Bluff’s Bryce Owens took the mound in a game against West Valley at the Jim Morely Classic on April 8, 2026. In his senior season, Owens earned All-Eastern Athletic League recognition in football, basketball, and baseball, consistently standing out on each squad. His football performance was particularly notable, earning him a spot on the All-Northern Section second team and helping the Spartans to an 8-3 record. Owens also received the Record Searchlight’s Defensive Player of the Year award and was selected the Record Searchlight-Redding Rotary-Seamans Family Foundation 2025-26 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Wyatt Shaw, Junior, Redding Christian
As Redding Christian’s starting quarterback, Wyatt Shaw shattered section records for passing yards in a season (3,231), completions in a season (225), passing touchdowns in a season (55), and touchdowns in a game (8). He also set the record for career completions (441) and career passing touchdowns (87), ranking fifth in all-time passing yards. Shaw guided the Lions to an undefeated 15-0 season and a CIF state title. He also contributed to the Lions’ basketball success, helping RCS win the CIF NorCal Regional title, and aided the baseball team in reaching the NSCIF championship game. He earned All-League honors in both football and baseball and was named first-team All-Northern Section for football.
Brodie Ogden, Senior, Redding Christian
Brodie Ogden, a standout senior for Redding Christian, made a memorable impact for the Lions, including an acrobatic catch over Woodbridge ATH Elijah Morris and a touchdown reception, plus two sacks in the Division 7-AA State Championship victory over Woodbridge on December 13, 2025. Ogden’s contributions across both football and another sport helped shape a successful season for the Lions. He was a key player in the team’s state-championship effort and demonstrated leadership and versatility across multiple roles.