By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club honored McNary’s Ali Martinez (Girls Wrestling), West Salem’s Mika Oprea (Boys Swimming), South Salem’s Elijah Buswell (Boys Swimming) and Blanchet Catholic’s Abby Weber (Girls Basketball) for the week of January 27.

Here’s the Press Release:

The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from McNary Girls Wrestling, is Ali Martinez.

Ali is a junior for the Celts. After a two-year hiatus from wrestling due to injury, Ali has returned to wrestling in a big way! She is currently 31-2 with 25 of those wins coming via first round pin. Her only losses have come from out of state opponents. This past weekend Ali won the 190 lb. weight class at the Dallas Lady Dragon Invitational (the largest girl’s tournament in Oregon), with each win coming on first round pins. Ali “outplaced” a returning state placer and multiple state qualifiers. Throughout the season Ali has taken first at multiple Oregon tournaments and placed 7th at the Kelso Girls Tournament (the largest Folkstyle girls’ tournament in the country).

This is Ali’s second AOTW honor. She also was recognized for softball.

Congratulations to Ali.

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from West Salem Boys Swimming, is Mika Oprea.

Mika is a junior for the Titans. At the tough Rumbaugh Invitational, a 14 team invite in Corvallis, Mika placed 3rd in the 100 breast with a lifetime best time and also earned a lifetime best in the 50 free where he also placed 3rd. Mika is a major part of a very strong 200 free relay team, swimming leadoff or anchor! Mika has earned team MVP honors multiple times this season, tying for honors in the win over Sheldon after earning 16 points.

This is Mika’s second AOTW award.

Congratulations to Mika.

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from South Salem Boys Swimming, is Elijah Buswell.

Elijah is a senior for the Saxons. Elijah scored 12 points against McNary helping the boys take the win. Against West Salem he scored 8 points again helping the boys prevail. In the win over North Salem Elijah contributed 10 points, swimming the 200 free, winning with a time of 1:57.98, and the 100 breast in 1:13.79 to get 2nd place. In the 400 Free Relay he split a 53.55 and in the 200 Free relay he split a 24.23.

Congratulations to Elijah.

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The Salem Sports and Breakfast Club Les Schwab Athlete of the Week, from Blanchet Girls Basketball, is Abby Weber.

Abby is a senior for the Cavaliers. Coach Danielle Wise describes Abby as both a scoring and team leader since her freshman year. In last Friday’s loss to Gervais, the team was down 27-0 at the end of the quarter, but Abby was unwilling to backdown, scoring the team’s first 10 points after the break. Abby has started every game since her freshman year.

Congratulations to Abby.