Crosshill baseball player voted Salem-Keizer area Freshman of the Year

Landon Bartlett, Salem Statesman JournalSat, Jul 11, 2026·4 min read

Crosshill Christian baseball player Gavin Chin is the Maps Credit Union Salem-Keizer area high school Freshman of the Year, as voted by Statesman Journal readers.

Chin was a contributing freshman on an Eagles baseball team that exceeded expectations, jumped ahead of schedule and reached the 2A/1A state championship game. In that final, Chin was one of two players to muster up a hit for Crosshill Christian.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

Chin played a crucial role in the Eagles' march to a 26-3 overall record, Special District 3 championship and a state-best 379 runs scored.

Chin received 75.04% of the reader poll votes. McNary softball player Autumn Siegel was second (15.53%).

Here are the other nominees.

Naomi Bogan, South Salem track and field

Bogan was a sprinter in her first season with the Saxons' track and field team. Bogan won numerous events and notably placed second in the 100-meter dash at the Central Valley Conference district meet.

Bogan also earned Central Valley honorable mention in soccer. She helped the Saxons to an 8-7-1 record and second-place finish in the CVC before bowing out in the first round of the 6A state tournament.

Scout Haugen, Silverton girls track and field

Haugen won a state title in high jump at the OSAA 5A track and field state championships with a 5-foot, 5 3/4-inch leap. Silverton's newcomer set an all-time Oregon freshman record with a 5-foot, 9 1/4-inch jump April 24 at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays, and her mark was the highest recorded by any freshman in the United States this spring.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

It's also the highest mark any Oregonian hit this spring. She's set off on a path few have travelled in the Oregon high school track and field scene and has an exciting career ahead at Silverton.

Frankie Koehnke, Regis girls basketball

Koehnke won a 2A girls basketball state championship with the Rams and was named 2A state player of the year. She helped lead the team to a 29-1 record as the program collected its first state title since 2014. Koehnke posted 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals in the final.

Koehnke also competed for the Rams' track and field team, where she garnered ninth-place finishes in the 800 and 1,500 at the OSAA 2A state championships. Koehnke was a member of the Rams' 4x400 relay that placed sixth.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

Lusambo Washikala, North Salem boys soccer

In his first season of high school soccer, Washikala earned Central Valley Conference first-team honors. He and the Vikings fought to a 6-6-4 overall record and third place in the CVC, and Washikala was the only Central Valley freshman to earn a spot on the first-team roster.

Autumn Palmer, South Salem girls basketball

Palmer earned second-team honors in the Central Valley Conference as she played a vital role in the Saxons' success on the hardwood this past winter. Palmer and the Saxons finished the season 20-6 overall, 6-3 in the CVC for second place and reached the second round of the 6A state tournament. She served as a consistent scorer and driver when South Salem needed it.

Cesar Perez, Stayton boys soccer

Perez played the hero in several Eagles soccer games last fall. As Stayton marched to a 17-0-1 season that ended in a 4A state championship, Perez was good for important goals along the way. In the state semifinal against Klamath Union, Perez scored the go-ahead, game-winning goal that eventually booked the Eagles a 3-2 win and a spot in the state championship game.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

In the title game, Perez scored the only goal as Stayton defeated North Marion, 1-0. It was the Eagles' first-ever undefeated season to be capped by a state title.

Emmy Riley, Dayton softball

As Dayton softball continues as one of the top Class 3A programs, it keeps churning out talented, contributing freshmen. In her first season, Riley earned first-team all-state honors for the Pirates as they steamrolled through a 23-6 season and outscored opponents 291 to 67.

Riley and the Pirates' season ended in the 3A state semifinals, but a young core of athletes, including Riley, are slated to return to the diamond next spring as they chase state glory once more.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

Ava Sanchez, Central track and field

Sanchez was one of the top 5A girls sprinters in the state in her inaugural high school track and field season. After qualifying for the state championship meet in the 100, Sanchez earned a ninth-place finish in the event. Sanchez also was a member of the Panthers' 4x100 relay that qualified for state and placed 12th.

Autumn Siegel, McNary softball

Siegel and the Celtics claimed their first Central Valley Conference title in softball since 2023. They outscored opponents 294 to 74 en route to a 23-5 record to earn the fourth seed in the 6A state tournament before falling in the second round.

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement

Siegel's contributions on both sides of the ball did not go unnoticed, as she earned Central Valley Conference player of the year honors.

1 / 28

Our best photos from 2026 Salem-Keizer area high school spring sports

Stayton voted Salem-area high school Athletic Program of the Year