The best high school athletes in the state of Oregon will be showcasing their skills at Hayward Field in the final weekend of May. With the best women’s pole vaulter finishing up her high school career, and an incredible come back from Tigard’s shot putter, the Daily Emerald is highlighting the best stories and talent going into the OSAA Championships

Addison Kleinke, pole vaulter, Churchill High School

Kleinke, the incredible senior pole vaulter from Churchill High School, who committed to Texas A&M University in January, is back to showcase her skills at Hayward Field again. Last season at OSAAs, she passed on every height until 3.66 meters. She may have missed her first attempt, but sealed the win on her second. 

Even though she already won the event, Kleinke kept going. For fun, she passed on the 3.73m height and then vaulted the bar at 3.81m. She took two attempts with the bar at 4.09m, but didn’t get over. Though that didn’t matter, as she has continued to show up to the Oregon Team Invite competing as an individual to get more experience. 

This season, with Kleinke finishing up her high school career and turning toward the Aggies in the fall, she will still look to have a great end to her career in front of a crowd of family, friends and teammates. 

Keep an eye on:

Women: 

Kinsley Juliano (senior from Nelson) – leads season with 4.04 vault.

Tayanah Balensifer (senior from West Linn) – leads weekly with 3.81 vault.

Men: 

Caleb Lofdahl (senior from Newberg) – leads season with 4.88 vault.

Marissa Johnson, shot putter, Tigard High School

The end of Marissa Johnson’s Tigard career looked to have occurred back in November. It was revealed that Johnson, one of the best discus and shot put throwers in the state, was to be sidelined for her senior season after sustaining the injury in November and undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in mid-February.

But, miraculously, the five time 6A state champion came back to throw at the Three Rivers League meet at the end of the season. She threw for 39.62 meters and placed second behind Kaia Jacobs.

Johnson has committed to the University of Iowa, and did so before the season began. But, like Kleinke, she will look to end her high school career on a high note. 

Keep an eye on:

Women: Kate Norton (sophomore from Baker) – leads season with 12.93m throw.

Men: Kaleb Moore (senior from Junction City) – leads season with 18.82m throw.

For the rest of the field athletes competing, here are those who are leading in their events from the season:

Discus:

Women: Kinlee Davis (sophomore from Baker) 40.16 meter throw.

Men: Brogan Hedgepeth (junior from Junction City), 58.95 meter throw.

Javelin:

Women: Anna Millikan (senior from Summit) 50.39 meter throw.

Men: Derek Olivo (junior from McNary) 63.58 meter throw.

Dylan Wojick (sophomore from Summit) threw for a weekly best at 56.97 meters.

High Jump:

Women: Scout Haugen (freshman from Silverton) 1.76 meter jump that is a new state freshman record.

Aliyah Miller (senior from Gresham) 1.65 meter jump that was a weekly best.

Men: Caden Druliner (junior from Silverton) and Harland Novy-Marx (senior from Lincoln) both jumped 2.06 meters.

Topher Gabel (junior from Sandy), Joseph Clevenger (senior from South Medford) and Samuel Hernandez (sophomore from Philomath) all jumped a weekly best 1.98 meters.

Long Jump:

Women: Rikaiya Griffin (freshman from Caldera) 6.34 meter jump.

Men: EJ Cozart Jr. (senior from Jefferson) with a 7.41 meter jump.

Chace Braden (senior from Sandy) who jumped a weekly best 7.26 meters.

Triple Jump:

Women: Saskia Dorf (senior from Westview) 12.46 meter jump.

Men: Cade Siewert (senior from South Medford) 14.22 meter jump.

1A-3A field events will be starting at 10:00 a.m. with Boys High Jump and Boys Pole Vault on Thursday, May 28. 

4A-6A will start at 9:00 a.m. with Boys Discus on Friday, May 29 and 1A-3A will compete later in the day starting with Girls Shot Put at 2:30 p.m.

4A-6A will finish up the events on Saturday, May 30 starting with Girls Pole Vault at 9:30 a.m.