Local Athletes and Coaches Honored by Statewide Coaches

By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 in Featured Stories Northeastern Oregon News

EASTERN OREGON — High school athletes and coaches from Baker, Union and Wallowa counties were recently honored by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association at the organization’s annual banquet at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

The banquet was highlighted with the presentation of several National Federation of State High School Associations awards, including three National, five Section 8 and twelve State Coaches of the Year Awards (see below for complete list, local athletes and coaches in bold). $18,500 in scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors from the class of 2023.

Student/Athlete Scholarship Award Winners:

Austin Baker, Bend Senior HS Hallee Hughes, Willamina HS

Elijah Bisenius, La Grande HS Ellie McMullen, Amity HS

Sean Craven, Bend Senior HS Madelyn Nordtvedt, Enterprise HS

Grady Dunlea, Lost River HS Jozie Ramos, Baker HS

Michael Hiller, St. Paul HS

OACA Director’s & President’s Scholarship Recipients:

Gabrielle Thom, Westside Christian HS

Sam Tsiatsos, La Grande HS

Coach Dave Johnson Scholarship Recipients:

Lucretia Benolken, Cascade HS

Kavon Bradford, Benson Polytechnic HS

Olivia Payne, Sam Barlow HS

A Number of Special Awards Went to the Following:

Assistant Coach of the Year:

Jonathan “Beau” Fullerton, Mazama HS

Mike Larsen, Warrenton HS

Cindy Williams, La Grande HS

Middle School Coach of the Year:

Dalton Sheets, La Grande HS

Steve Weisbrodt, West Salem HS

NFF HS Academic Excellence Award:

St. Paul HS Football

OACA Officials of the Year:

Rick Dees, Grants Pass Basketball

Eddie Lewis, Klamath Falls Football

John Lynch, Klamath Falls Softball/Baseball

Media:

Mark Gilman, Salem

OACA Athletic Trainer of the Year:

Tina Gracia, Westview HS

OACA Unified Sports Coach of the Year:

Kari Bloomquist, Forest Grove HS

Brennan Young, South Salem HS

Oregon Athletic Officials Association Meritorious Sportsmanship Award:

Lisa McBee, Nelson HS

Community Service Award:

Jeff & Bev Heller

Shelby Quintos, Riverdale HS

Rob Younger Power of Influence Award:

Larry Hermida, McDaniel HS

OACA Dave Johnson Contributor Award:

Scott Kellar, Century HS

Bill Masei, Dallas HS

OACA Marv Heater Distinguished Service Award:

Chris Knudsen, OACA

John McCallum, Prime Time Sport