Vote for the Maps Credit Union High School Athlete of the Week

A flurry of Salem-area athletes produced top marks at the OSAA state track and field championships in Eugene to close out the 2024 season.

This week's Maps Credit Union High School Athlete of the Week nominees are:

• Mihaly Akpamgbo, West Salem
• Haley Butenschoen, Stayton
• Hadley Hughes, Willamina
• Celia James, Salem Academy
• Grace Mucken, Blanchet Catholic
• Molly Mucken, Blanchet Catholic
• Averie Peterson, Santiam
• Lillian Pickett, Cascade
• Ralph Pohlschneider, St. Paul
• Kalina Saechao, Cascade

Vote for the athlete you think is most deserving in the poll below. The poll closes at noon Thursday.

Mihaly Akpamgbo, West Salem

West Salem senior Mihaly Akpamgbo captured his second-consecutive 6A 200-meter state title with a personal-best time of 21.37 seconds. He also placed second in the 100 in 10.56 seconds.

Haley Butenschoen, Stayton

Stayton junior Haley Butenschoen captured her second consecutive 4A 800 meters state title with a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 18.37 seconds.

Hadley Hughes, Willamina

Willamina freshman Hadley Hughes won the 2A girls shot put with a personal-best mark of 34 feet, 11 ¾ inches. She also took third in the javelin (123 feet, 3 inches), and sixth in the discus (100 feet, 8 inches).

Celia James, Salem Academy

Salem Academy junior Celia James won the 2A girls 400 meters with a personal-best time of 58.86 seconds. She also placed third at 800 meters (2 minutes, 24.24 seconds), anchored the Crusaders' 4x400 meter relay to a state title, and anchored the program's 4x100 meter relay to a third place finish.

Grace Mucken, Blanchet Catholic

Blanchet Catholic senior Grace Mucken won the 2A girls pole vault with a personal-best mark of 9 feet, 5 ¼ inches. She also placed 11th in the javelin (106 feet, 11 inches).

Molly Mucken, Blanchet Catholic

Blanchet Catholic junior Molly Mucken won the 2A girls discus with a personal-best throw of 121 feet, 9 inches. She also placed third in the shot put (34 feet, 3 inches) and 15th in the javelin (90 feet, 4 inches).

Averie Peterson, Santiam

Santiam junior Averie Peterson won the 2A 800 meters in a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 17.60 seconds to repeat as champion. She also won the triple jump with a personal-best leap of 34 feet, 7 ¾ inches, and placed second in the 1,500 with a personal-best of 4 minutes, 47.84 seconds.

Lillian Pickett, Cascade

Cascade junior Lillian Pickett won the 4A girls 400 meters with a personal-best time of 57.97 seconds. She also placed fourth in the 200 (25.83 seconds) and anchored Cascade to a second-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay.

Ralph Pohlschneider, St. Paul

St. Paul senior Ralph Pohlschneider won the 1A boys 400 meters in a personal-best time of 50.07 seconds. He also anchored St. Paul’s 4x100 meter relay to victory.

Kalina Saechao, Cascade

Cascade junior Kalina Saechao won the 4A girls shot put with a personal-best throw of 39 feet, 11 ½ inches. She also earned a second-place finish in the discus (117 feet, 9 inches).

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney