These Student-Athletes are Breaking Records and Exceeding Expectations in the Oregon Sports Awards Spring Season
These student-athletes put physical and mental fitness on display
This spring, standout athletes from across Oregon are being celebrated for their tenacity, focus and determination. These students golfed, ran and hit their way into incredible titles and the recognition of not only their peers, but sports fans across the state.
The Oregon Sports Awards, sponsored by Pacific Seafood and Pacific Office Automation, recognizes the top high school athletes from across the state.
Throughout the season, The Oregonian/OregonLive journalists keep score on which student-athletes are outshining the rest within their chosen sport. After reviewing all the plays, studying all the matches and taking a pulse on who is leading the pack, these are the top athletes of the 2024 spring season in golf, tennis, baseball, softball and track.
Lake Oswego's Drew Woolworth competes in the OSAA Class 6A boys golf state championship tournament on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at the Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks. (Photo: Aaron Brewer | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
BOYS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
Lake Oswego High School sophomore Drew Woolworth has been named Boys Golfer of the Year just two weeks after claiming the Class 6A state title at Quail Valley golf course. After finishing 11th in the same state championship last year, it’s safe to say that at his young age, Woolworth is outpacing his competition.
“I don’t like to look at the leaderboard,” Woolworth said. “I just kind of stay in the zone. I can check afterwards. It’s not like it’s going to disappear right after I finish. So I don’t really worry about what everybody else is doing.”
When it comes to his golf game, Woolworth takes a pro approach without going overboard. Woolworth’s weekly regimen is scheduled out, but fairly minimal. He golfs around two hours a day, spending 45 minutes each on putting, chipping and driving. The balance, he said, keeps him in check and feeds into his “results-based” approach.
Woolworth is excited to continue down the path of excellence and be a strong presence amongst fellow student golfers in his junior season.
Learn more about Drew Woolworth here.
North Eugene's Francesca Tomp walks on the green during the 2023 OSAA Class 5A girls golf state championships at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Tomp is the Oregonian/OregonLive girls golfer of the year. (Photo: Blake Benard | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
GIRLS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
The title of Girls Golfer of the Year goes to the focused and determined junior, Francesca Tomp of North Eugene High School. Coaches describe Tomp as just as strong mentally, as she is physically.
This dialed-in attitude was on display as she took home her third-straight Class 5A state title. Feeling under the weather, the nerves could have gotten to Tomp if she wasn’t already so accustomed to the high intensity of the game.
“They haven’t really gone away,” said Tomp, who has been golfing since kindergarten. “I’ve just learned how to cope with it.”
As Tomp began to take state titles in her freshman year, an important light was shed on North Eugene High School that resulted in new interest in the game and multiple new teammates for Tomp.
Learn more about Francesca Tomp here.
Crater's Josiah Tostenson celebrates after crossing the finish line at the end of a race at the OSAA track and field state championships on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Hayward Field. (Photo: Howard Lao | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
BOYS TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Rising to the occasion, this year's boys Track Athlete of the Year is junior Josiah Tostenson of Crater High School.
Tostenson couldn’t be happier with the way he performed at the OSAA track and field state championship meet, citing that he’s the most confident he’s ever been and in the best shape of his life.
After finishing last season's Class 5A 3,000-meter race in last place, Tostenson put the work in to improve and ended up taking gold in both the 1,500 and 3,000 this year. To prepare, Tostenson made sure to stay hydrated and prioritize more sleep. The impact was noticeable through an increased mood and the number of accolades received.
Tostenson has a few more spring races ahead of himself and is looking forward to taking his team under his wing for his upcoming senior season.
Read more about Josiah Tostenson here.
Lake Oswego's Josie Donelson competes in a preliminary race during the OSAA track and field state championships on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Hayward Field. (Photo: Howard Lao | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
After a career changing season, Lake Oswego High School senior Josie Donelson has been named Girls Track Athlete of the Year. Leading her team to victory, Donelson made sure to pick up a record-breaking performance in the 400-meter dash. Coasting through the finish line with a time of 52.83 seconds, she broke her own previous record of 53.17 seconds set at the Arcadia Invite.
After making a self-proclaimed “rookie mistake” at the Sherwood Need for Speed meet on April 13, in which Donelson took her eyes off the track to glance at the clock, she was met with an abrupt crash that brought her cascading to the ground. Donelson's coach, Wayne McCall, insisted on using this fall as a learning moment, citing that “all that matters is the hurdle that’s right in front of you.”
Donelson took this approach to heart and worked on improving her focus. This hard work paid off, getting her to several flawless finishes.
Donelson is headed for Vanderbilt this fall and is sure to continue the path towards stardom.
Learn more about Josie Donelson here.
Lincoln's Will Semler serves during the OSAA Class 6A boys singles state championship match on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Tualatin Hills Athletic Center in Beaverton, Oregon. (Photo: Naji Saker | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lincoln High School’s Will Selmer has been named Boys Tennis Player of the Year. A fierce competitor who seeks high-pressure situations as a time to shine, Selmer battled his way towards a Class 6A state championship in May.
Selmer’s unrivaled work ethic impacts all the athletes around him. This commitment to hard work was on display at the 2022 Class 6A championship when the Lincoln Cardinals took first place led by Selmer winning the singles title.
In addition to the big win in 2022, Selmer won individual titles in 2023 and 2024. This habit of winning big has made a huge impact on Lincoln High School’s program and legacy.
Though Selmer is graduating in the spring, his younger brother, Tiger, is carrying on the tradition of greatness for the Cardinals.
Learn more about Will Selmer here.
Clackamas' Lauren Han walks on the tennis court during the Class 6A girls singles championship match on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Tualatin Hills Athletic Center in Beaverton, Oregon. (Photo: Naji Saker | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Clackamas High School senior Lauren Han has been named Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
On a senior season redemption tour after ending her junior season taking second place at state, Han was determined to take first place. How did Han manage to accomplish this? By loosening up.
“Last year, I feel like I just played really tight,” Han said. “I definitely felt the pressure. This year I just feel like I managed it better.”
The mental aspects of tennis presented a larger hurdle than the physical aspects of the game for Han. Han’s coach, Charles Hahn, remarked that Han’s mental toughness has always been the key to her game.
This Spring, Han will graduate and take her talents to Dartmouth to compete on a collegiate level, but her effect on the Clackamas Cavaliers will continue to have an impact.
Learn more about Lauren Han here.
West Linn's Ryan VandenBrink celebrates after a hit during the Class 6A baseball state championship game on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer. (Photo: Mark Ylen | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ryan VandenBrink has been named Baseball Player of the Year. The star catcher from West Linn High School has recently found himself as a three-time state champion after a Class 6A win over Sunset High School in June.
Wrapping up his senior year as a four-year starter and kicking off his future as an Oregon State Beaver, VandenBrink has a lot to be proud of.
VanderBrink has always taken an extreme sense of pride in his role as catcher. West Linn’s pitching coach, Tom Discoll, describes VanderBrink’s job on the field as “more than just catching, but truly creating connections with his pitchers”.
VanderBrink’s teammates trust him deeply as does head coach, Joe Monahan, saying that VanderBrink “is one that’s always willing to make adjustments. He’s always willing to look in the mirror first. He’s always accountable to his own actions and his own performance.”
These traits created a connective tissue between VandenBrink and Monahan, trusting one another to do the right thing in spades.
Learn more about Ryan VanderBrink here.
Bend's Addisen Fisher, third from left, celebrates with teammates after the Lava Bears beat Lebanon in the Class 5A softball state championship game on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene. (Photo: Kevin Henneman | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Addisen Fisher has been named Softball Player of the Year. A top collegiate recruit for the 2024 season who led her team to the state title earlier this month, the Bend High School senior has her routine down to an art.
“If I have something that works for me,” she said, “I’ll stick to it pretty well. But, you know, I really pride myself on enjoying my life, so I try to make the most out of every situation and have the most fun I can, and that really helps me just get through some stuff.”
Fisher has committed to a college softball career with the UCLA Bruins and is leaving Bend High School as the Gatorade National Player of the Year — an award never previously won by an Oregon softball player. Fisher’s farewell season was not created overnight, but by committing herself to the game every day both physically and mentally.
Fisher can’t help but fantasize about where her tried and true skills will take her during her time at UCLA and is excited to be a part of one of the most decorated softball programs in NCAA history.
Learn more about Addisen Fisher here.
Sport Oregon and the Oregonian Media Group are proud to celebrate the season’s top high school athletes for the 2023-24 Oregon Sports Awards, presented by Pacific Seafood and Pacific Office Automation.
ABOUT THE OREGON SPORTS AWARDS
In 1948, the Oregon Sports Writers and Sportscasters’ Association hosted the first-ever Bill Hayward Banquet of Champions. The event began as a sit-down affair, honoring past and present Oregon sports greats.
Later, in 1986, the event was rebranded and renamed the Oregonian Banquet of Champions. In 2001, the event became the Oregon Sports Awards, presented by Nike.
In 2021-22, the Oregon Sports Awards began following a seasonal schedule with fall, winter, and spring awards given after each season, finishing in an end-of-year Celebration of Champions, recognizing every winner in every sport and overall Athlete of the Year Awards. This shift allowed the Oregon Sports Awards to shine the spotlight on the student-athletes when their season has recently completed while celebrating all winners equally including collegiate, professional and team awards.
Past award winners have included the likes of Terry Baker, Dick Fosbury, Steve Prefontaine, Joni Huntley, Neil Lomax, Danny Ainge, Dan O’Brien, Gary Payton, Tiffeny Milbrett, Joey Harrington, Nick Symmonds, Jordan Kent, Kevin Love, Liz Brenner, Megan Rapinoe, Ashton Eaton and Marcus Mariota.
ABOUT PACIFIC SEAFOOD
Founded in 1941, Pacific Seafood remains a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing the healthiest protein on the planet. Pacific Seafood manages all parts of the supply chain from harvesting/fishing, processing, and distribution to provide customers with freshest, highest-quality, sustainable products. Pacific Seafood is headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon. Find products at your local grocery retailer or order direct from our dock to your doorstep at PacificSeafood.com/Shop.
ABOUT PACIFIC OFFICE AUTOMATION
Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Pacific Office Automation is the largest independent office technology provider in the nation. Since 1976, We’ve built our business on lasting strategic partnerships. We team up with our clients to review, evaluate and make recommendations to their unique situation. POA boasts a 47-year growth streak in the face of financial recession and global pandemic, which we credit primarily to the hard work and dedication of our talented team, the reinvestment of our growth into the development of new personnel, and the continued support we receive from our manufacturer partners and the state-of-the-art technology they provide. Our motto is Problem Solved. we believe the best solution to a problem is a proactive approach to preventing them.
ABOUT SPORT OREGON
Sport Oregon understands that the impact of sports is undeniable. It's economic. It's social. It's emotional. A dedicated, thriving sports tourism environment is crucial to the wellbeing of our state. Sport Oregon has an unapologetic love for Oregon, and wants to share it with the world. The natural scenery is our playground, and the vibrant hospitality community is eager and ready to host you, your events, your teams, your fans and your families.