The most memorable Salem-area high school fall sports moments in 2024

Posted by Admin December 31, 2024 Sports

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The Salem area produced several local high school state champions this fall, as well as countless other standout football, volleyball and soccer performances.

Here is a look back at some of the top moments from the Salem-Keizer area.

St. Paul football gets long-awaited 2A football title

Coming into this season, St. Paul football was already one of the winningest programs in OSAA history in terms of state title appearances.

This fall, the Buckaroos added another impressive line to their resume.

In their first season back at the 2A 9-man level, St. Paul uncorked an undefeated season that culminated with a thrilling win over Oakland in the state title game Nov. 27 at Cottage Grove High School.

It marked the Buckaroos’ first title since 2010 and their first ever at the 2A level.

Grady Wolf ran for a team team-high 125 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries during the 28-20 win. He also went 7-for-9 passing with two touchdowns.

Clay Smith ran for 90 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Diego Medina rushed for 68 yards on 10 carries and also caught six passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Salem Academy volleyball produces another dominant title run

Few programs in the state of Oregon have found as much postseason success as Salem Academy volleyball over the past half-decade.

The Crusaders captured 2A titles in both 2021 and 2022 and reached the 2A final in 2023. On Nov. 10, they added the fifth championship in school history with a 25-19, 25-17, 25-14 win over No. 1 Crosshill Christian at Ridgeview High School in Redmond.

Salem Academy finished the season 25-3 overall and won its final 10 matches of the year.

During the title match, Emma Brewer, the reigning 2A state player of the year, led the Crusaders with 27 kills while hitting at 38%. She also had 10 digs.

Jordyn Copeland added 12 kills (39%) and racked up 20 assists. Maya Cooke had eight assists and six digs.

Nelida Dalgas delivers runner-up state cross-country performance

North Salem junior Nelida Dalgas delivered another big-time performance at the OSAA state cross-country meet this fall.

Dalgas ran a blistering 17-minute, 26.8-second 5,000-meter time to finish as runner-up at the 6A state meet behind Lakeridge’s Chloe Huyler (17:11.6) on Nov. 9 in Eugene.

Only five other runners have ever clocked a faster 5,000 time on the Lane Community College state course than Dalgas did this season.

One week later at the NXR Northwest Regional Championships in Boise, Idaho, Dalgas took sixth place while competing against the top runners in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Addison Samuell and Stayton boys soccer notch undefeated regular season

Stayton senior forward Addison Samuell shattered the school’s single-season scoring record with 40 goals this fall.

Samuell, who began his prep career as a defender, shifted to striker full time this season and was named the 4A player of the year. He ended the 2024 campaign with the 10th-highest goal tally ever by a high school player in Oregon.

In addition to Samuell, Stayton sophomore Ruben Bell and senior Roman Gould earned first-team all-state honors.

The Eagles led Class 4A with 67 goals this fall and went 13-0 during the regular season before falling to Henley in the state semifinals.

Along with the Eagles, several other Salem-Keizer soccer teams made deep postseason runs.

McNary (Class 6A), Woodburn (Class 5A) and Blanchet Catholic (Class 3A/2A/1A) all reached the state semifinals in their respective divisions.

In the girls state playoffs, Silverton (Class 5A) and Blanchet Catholic (Class 3A/2A/1A) reached the quarterfinals.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney