Updated July 08, 2016
Posted July 08, 2016
2015-16 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Each summer, The Oregonian/OregonLive names an overall High School Athlete of the Year.
Before we reveal the 2015-16 winner, let's review the finalists -- one each from every major OSAA sport, determined by staff and reader voting.
MADISYN BRYANT
Marist High School
Girls tennis
Photo by Kent Frasure
Bryant capped one of the most successful careers in Oregon high school sports history when she shook off a slow start in the Class 5A girls championship match to come back and beat Corvallis freshman Anna Kern, 7-5, 6-3. She became just the seventh girls tennis player in OSAA history – and the first at the 5A level – to win four straight individual titles. Bryant plans to attend college at USC.
Photo by Kent Frasure
LAUREN BURKE
Marist High School
Softball
Photo courtesy of Marist HS
The star shortstop batted .712 with 21 home runs, 58 RBIs and 23 stolen bases as a junior, carrying the Spartans to a Class 5A state semifinals appearance. Burke hit a state-record four home runs in one game against Eagle Point, and she had two other games with three home runs. She has committed to the University of Oregon.
Billy Gates | The Oregonian/OregonLive