By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

West Salem’s Tommy Slack (Boys Basketball), McKay’s Sarahi Chavez (Girls Wrestling), South Salem’s Rene Jimenez-Cruz (Boys Wrestling), North Salem’s Mariko Sonis (Girls Wrestling) and Salem Academy’s Annabelle Brawley were honored by the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club for the week of December 10.

Here’s the Press Release:

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from West Salem Boys Basketball, is Tommy Slack. Tommy is a junior for the 2-1 Titans. Tommy had 17 points, shooting 7-11 from the field including 3 of 6 from the 3-point line in the Titans opening 82-53 win over Centennial last Friday. He also had 5 steals. Tommy followed that with 28 points on 11 of 13 shooting that included 5 for 7 from deep, not to mention 5 rebounds and 3 more steals. Coach Travis Myers added, “He had multiple steals to lead us on fast breaks and was able to really set the tempo and put us on runs that stretched our lead in both games that led us to comfortable victories.”
The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from McKay Girls Wrestling, is Sarahi Chavez. Sarahi, a 9th grader, earned two tourney victories for the Scots this past week. Sarahi placed first at both the Battle for the Capital Wrestling Tournament at McKay High School and at the Perry Burlison Wrestling Tournament at Cascade High School. Sarahi pinned her way through both tournaments helping McKay win in team points at both.

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from South Salem Wrestling, is Rene Jimenez-Cruz. Rene is a senior wrestler for the Saxons. Rene won the 138 pound weight class at the very tough Perry Burlison Tournament at Cascade High School and holds a 4-0 record on the year. Rene, a four-year letter winner, is also a two-time team captain. He has qualified for the OSAA state tournament twice and has been a state placer in the Greco-Roman state tournament.

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from North Salem Wrestling, is Mariko Sonis. Mariko, a sophomore, really stood out this last week. Mariko won her weight class at the Battle for the Capital held at McKay High by pinning all of her opponents “in pretty dominating fashion”. Coach Andy Pickett described the final, “The finals made for a pretty exciting match between her and a wrestler from Century High School. Mariko put the other girl in a cradle, but she bucked out and landed on top with Mariko on her back for a few seconds before rolling out. In the second period, Mariko got thrown in a head-and arm by the Century wrestler and about gave me a heart attack before [she] rolled through to end up on top. Then Mariko turned her and pinned her with a barbed wire.” Coach went on to say, “She is a great kid and fun to coach. The tournament ended on Friday about 3:40pm and then we headed back to North Salem where Mariko attended practice with the boy wrestlers from 4:00-6:00. Her goal is a state title this year and it is feasible for her skill set and work ethic.”

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from Salem Academy Girls Basketball, is Annabelle Brawley. Annabelle, a senior, plays wing for the 4-0 Crusaders. Annabelle led Salem Academy to a 3-0 start and a tournament championship at the Westside Winter Jam last weekend. During the three-game tourney she averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals while shooting 80% from the free throw line. Coach Derek Imig added, “after losing two starters due to injury in the first half of our opening game of the season, Annabelle helped stabilize the team and carry us forward.”

​High school sports matter.