Junction City track standout Scarlett Painter has been voted the Active Chiropractic girls Athlete of the Week, earning top honors from Register-Guard readers in a competitive field of nominees from Churchill, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Springfield, and South Eugene.
The freshman sprinter delivered a standout performance at the Marist Track Classic on May 2, clocking a personal-best 400-meter time of 1:01.57. That mark currently ranks as the ninth-best in the state among Class 4A girls this season, signaling big things ahead for this rising star.
Painter dominated the reader poll with 52.01% of the vote, outpacing Churchill softball player Jaylee Litten, who finished second with 45.64%.
But Painter wasn't the only local athlete turning heads with impressive personal bests. Creswell junior Kiannah Bailey soared to a triple jump of 37 feet 8.5 inches at a Class 3A Special District 1 meet on May 6—a mark that leads the state in her classification this season.
Cottage Grove senior Emmerson Bickford also made waves at the Marist Track Classic, running a personal-best 300-meter hurdle time of 49.47 seconds, good for eighth-fastest in Class 4A. Teammate Ella Cardwell, also a senior, clocked a 1,500-meter personal best of 4:55.06, placing second and ranking seventh in the state among Class 4A girls.
South Eugene sophomore Isabelle Chery blazed to a 200-meter personal best of 25.19 at a dual meet with Willamette on May 5, a time that ranks ninth-fastest in the entire state regardless of classification.
Junction City senior Aspen Gambee showcased her versatility with personal bests in both the long jump (17 feet 3 inches) and triple jump (34 feet 10.5 inches) at the Marist Track Classic. Her triple jump ranks third in Class 4A, while her long jump sits fourth.
Springfield junior Sailor Hall launched a personal-best discus throw of 124 feet 7 inches at the 41st Dean Nice Invitational on May 8, finishing as runner-up. Her mark leads Class 5A and ranks seventh in the state overall.
Creswell junior Jordyn Lee rounded out the standout performances with a 400-meter personal best of 58.60 to win the Marist Track Classic, a time that's second-fastest in Class 3A this season.
With so many athletes hitting new peaks, it's clear that Oregon's track and field scene is heating up as championship season approaches. Whether you're chasing personal records or state titles, the right gear can make all the difference—gear up for your next meet and keep pushing those limits!