Kennedy senior Landon Kline has been named the Maps Credit Union boys Athlete of the Week, earning top honors in a reader poll conducted by the Statesman Journal. The talented baseball player secured an impressive 74.43% of the vote, outpacing a competitive field of nominees from across the region.
Kline's standout performance came on May 6, when he delivered three hits—including a game-changing grand slam—to lead the Trojans to a decisive 10-0 victory over St. Paul. His powerful swing and clutch hitting made him a clear fan favorite in the weekly poll.
South Salem's Harrison Buckingham finished second with 22.28% of the vote. The junior pitcher was equally dominant on the mound, tossing a full six innings while striking out nine batters and allowing just one hit in the Saxons' 11-0 shutout of Sprague on May 5.
The week's nominees also featured an impressive lineup of track and field athletes who delivered standout performances at various meets. Delphian's Cloutier clocked a swift 1:59.64 in the 800 meters at the Amity Invitational, securing second place and the third-best time in Class 2A this season. St. Paul's Cook soared to a 6-foot-2 high jump, winning first place and posting the top mark in Class 1A this spring at the Jewell HS Jam.
McNary's Elston turned heads with a 48.5-second 400-meter dash at the Rose City Championship Track and Field Invite, claiming first place and the third-fastest 6A time of the season. He also anchored the Celtics' 4x400 relay team—alongside Yosef Picazo, Mason Bowlby, and Adam Ellis—to a silver medal finish with a 3:19.89, the second-best 6A time this year. West Salem's Hagen ran a personal-best 3:54.89 in the 1,500 meters, good for second place and the fifth-best 6A time this spring at the same meet.
Olivo of West Salem dominated the javelin competition, unleashing a throw of 208 feet, 7 inches to secure first place and the top 6A mark of the season. On the baseball diamond, Sprague's Redel delivered a six-inning shutout, striking out four batters to lead the Olympians to a 4-0 win over South Salem on May 6.
From grand slams to record-breaking throws, this week's athletes showcased the depth of talent across Oregon high school sports. Congratulations to Landon Kline and all the nominees for their outstanding efforts!