Western Christian cross-country runner is the Maps Credit Union girls Athlete of the Week

Western Christian cross-country runner Kalkidan Ellis is the Maps Credit Union girls Athlete of the Week, as voted on by readers of the Statesman Journal.

Ellis, a junior, placed 13th at Ash Creek XC Festival Sept. 14 in Monmouth with a time of 20 minutes, 5.74 seconds over the 5,000-meter course to lead the Pioneers. That gave Ellis the ninth-best time in the state of Oregon this season among 3A/2A/1A athletes.

Ellis received 49.86% of the reader poll votes. Silverton's Marley Wertz was second (36.29%).

Here are this week's other candidates:

Nelida Dalgas, North Salem cross-country

North Salem's standout junior clocked the fastest time in the state of Oregon this season when she won the Ash Creek XC Festival 5,000-meter race in Monmouth in 17 minutes, 24.27 seconds on Sept. 14. Dalgas trimmed her previous personal best by more than eight seconds.

Jovi Johnson, Sprague cross-country

Sprague's Jovi Johnson was her team's top finisher at Ash Creek and placed 14th overall in 20:07.25.

Johnson's time was the 10th-best in the state of Oregon this season by a freshman.

Eliza Nisly, Amity soccer

Amity's all-state midfielder scored five goals to lead the Warriors to an 8-0 home win over Taft on Sept. 19.

Marley Wertz, Silverton soccer

The sophomore striker led the way during Silverton's 7-0 road win over Redmond on Sept. 17. Wertz scored two goals and provided three assists to help the Foxes improve to 4-0 on the year.

To submit an Athlete of the Week nomination, please email Statesman Journal sports reporter Jarrid Denney at JDenney@salem.gannett.com with the athlete's name, stats and any other relevant information about the performance they are being nominated for.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Western Christian cross-country runner is the Maps Credit Union girls Athlete of the Week