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YEAR IN REVIEW: Quite a run in 2022 By Kris Henry Updated: Dec 31, 2022 06:37 PM A A 15 View all photos Runners take to the forefront in a year that went well beyond state accomplishments Whether it be on the Oregon terrain, the track surface of a ballyhooed venue or even in the sense of unprecedented winning streaks, the year of 2022 was highlighted by a series of unbelievable runs. Southern Oregon athletes fully put their COVID-19 face masks aside, breathed a deep sigh of relief and then went out, in many cases, and performed better than just about anyone else in the nation in their chosen pursuit. There are years here in the Rogue Valley that have been thankfully filled with state champions and other local accomplishments, but the 2022 honorees for our top stories of the sports year by and large seemed to take that a step further this past year. We saw Crater senior distance runner Tyrone Gorze dominate any challenger in the Pacific Northwest and also hold his own as one of the top runners in the world while competing locally and internationally in Colombia. We saw Medford baseball star Jacob Melton not only finish as the best player in the Pac-12 Conference but have the rare pleasure of being able to continue his lifelong dream of playing professionally when drafted 64th overall by the Houston Astros. On the gridiron, Cascade Christian’s football team was unstoppable in posting the first unbeaten season in the program’s storied history, while the Challenger boys basketball team showed it had the best player at the Class 3A level and best team with its own state championship run. And when it came to running, Gorze may have had a long-course leg up on all others but South Medford’s Andrew Walker sprinted into the spotlight by running the kind of blistering pace that put everyone on notice with the fifth-fastest time in Oregon history to win the 200 meters at the elite Oregon Relays in Eugene. There were so many amazing accomplishments this past year, when the Mail Tribune compiled its list to develop our top 10, we had voters share 23 viable contenders for the final list and the top voting honor landed on four different options — suggesting just how difficult it was to decide from one incredible effort to another. So tighten those laces and try to keep up because, without further ado, here is the year that was, in order of voting importance: 1. Tyrone Gorze Crater has enjoyed more than its fair share of outstanding distance runners over the coaching career of Justin Loftus, but it’s hard not to consider that Gorze may become the most accomplished of the bunch. Gorze ran the fastest 1,500 by a sophomore in Oregon history — for any classification — in 2021 and kept the hammer down in 2022 by placing first in the 1,500 meters and second in the 3,000 meters at the Class 5A track and field state championships at Hayward Field. Gorze then went on to win the USATF Under-20 Outdoor Championships in the 5,000 (14 minutes, 8.08 seconds) against collegiate competition and later placed second in the 3,000 (8:21.03) at the same event. Given the chance to compete at the U20 World Championships in the late summer in Cali, Colombia, the 17-year-old Gorze placed 12th (14 minutes, 32.23 seconds). When his senior season at Crater came about this fall, all Gorze did was win as he secured his second straight 5A cross-country individual title, finishing in 14:37.9 to eclipse the previous 5A record set in 2014 by Summit’s Matthew Maton (14:45) by nearly eight seconds. What followed was a West Regional title in record time (15:10), third-place showing at the Nike nationals (14:53.8) after running with the lead pack throughout and signing a letter of intent to compete next fall at the University of Washington. 2. Jacob Melton Medford’s Jacob Melton realized a lifelong dream when he became the highest pick out of Southern Oregon in the Major League Baseball draft after the Houston Astros tabbed him 64th overall after he was listed No. 39 on the MLB.com Top 250 Draft Prospects list. Melton enjoyed a sensational final season with the Beavers, who won 48 games and advanced to the NCAA Super Regional, which was punctuated by the 2018 South Medford High graduate being named Pac-12 Conference player of the year and a unanimous All-American. Melton batted .360 with 17 home runs and 21 stolen bases, and also set an OSU single-season record with 175 total bases. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound center fielder/first baseman also tied the school record of 83 RBIs set by Adley Rutschman (2018). In 102 games played for Oregon State over three seasons — including a 2020 campaign shortened by COVID-19 — Melton batted .364 overall with 27 doubles, seven triples, 23 home runs and 108 RBIs with 29 stolen bases. His .660 slugging percentage is now the program standard. 3. Cascade Christian football Dominance took on new meaning this past fall for the Cascade Christian football program under head coach Jon Gettman as the Challengers recorded their first unbeaten season in program history (13-0) and won a fourth state championship. Look at any statistic and it was decidedly in Cascade Christian’s favor. The Challengers scored 652 points (50.2 per game) and allowed a mere 93 points (7.2 per game) and never had a team come within four touchdowns in any of their outings, including a 41-6 drubbing of previously undefeated Kennedy in the 3A title game. 4. Andrew Walker South Medford sprinter Andrew Walker had long been one to watch on the track but he created a national buzz by blistering the field during the elite Oregon Relays at Eugene’s Hayward Field. Walker ran the fifth-fastest boys 200-meter dash in Oregon high school history to win going away in 21.27 seconds. That mark stands as the third-best in Oregon Relays history, shy of only University of Oregon standouts Devon Allen (20.68) and Marcus Chambers (20.94) when they squared off among the collegians in 2016. Not one to rest on his laurels, Walker later captured the Class 6A state title in the 100 with the fastest time in the state this season (10.61) and returned to display his elite speed in winning the 200 in 21.33, a tenth of a second off the 6A state meet record mark set in 2018 by Micah Williams of Benson. An accomplished all-state football receiver in his own right, Walker recently agreed to a preferred walk-on offer at the University of Oregon from head coach Dan Lanning. 5. State track & field Casting the likes of Tyrone Gorze and Andrew Walker aside, the throng of Southern Oregon athletes who left their mark at their respective state championships were stunning. From state titles won by North Medford’s Nathan Rider (6A 400), Crater’s Josiah Tostenson (5A 1,500), Phoenix’s Elwood Hosking (4A 800 and 3,000) and Phoenix’s Sophia Stubblefield (4A 3,000) at the upper levels, to a dramatic runner-up finish by South Medford’s Michael Maiorano in the 6A 3,000 that included a dive at the finish line, the Rogue Valley was well-represented. The 3A meet was especially filled with local excellence, with Mackenzie Walker of St. Mary’s breaking a 24-year-old meet record to win the pole vault (12 feet) to lead a special outing for the Crusaders that included a pair of individual titles won by Sidney DeBoer (200 and triple jump) to go with two runner-up efforts (100 and long jump) as the Crusaders won the 3A girls team title. St. Mary’s sprinter Gavin Cougle shined on the boys’ side with state titles in the 100 and 200. Cascade Christian also saw Autumn Murray win the girls long jump and 100 hurdles titles and Sierra Samhammer claim the 300 hurdles title. 6. Riley Donovan/SOU softball SOU junior catcher Riley Donovan was named NAIA player of the year after earning a host of other honors and setting a program record for home runs in a season (20) and for a career (28) last spring. Donovan was among the national leaders in almost every major statistical category: She was No. 1 in hits (88), RBIs (89) and walks (51); No. 2 in home runs (20) and slugging percentage (.973); No. 3 in on-base percentage (.592); No. 4 in doubles (22); and No. 6 in batting average (.481) and runs scored (70). As the driving force for a revamped Raiders’ lineup, Donovan helped lead SOU to a 49-14 record. The two-time defending national champions (2021 and 2019), however, fell one win shy of advancing to the national tournament. 7. Donovyn Hunter South Medford senior Donovyn Hunter recently signed with the Oregon State women’s basketball program after earlier being named MaxPreps state player of the year after the 6-foot all-state guard led the 24-5 Panthers to a Southwest Conference title and a fifth-place showing at the Class 6A state tournament. Hunter averaged nearly 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in being named the SWC player of the year. Hunter is a McDonald’s All-American nominee 8. Cascade Christian boys basketball The hard-court version of the Challengers battled through a test of mettle to win their first crown in 13 years, outscoring their opponents by an average of six points in the state semifinals and finals to finish 23-5 overall. Sophomore center Austin Maurer, standing nearly 7-feet tall, was named 3A boys basketball player of the year to become the first Cascade Christian player to earn that honor since Scott Morse in 2009. Maurer averaged 24 points, 12.3 rebounds and four blocks per game, and set the Cascade Christian single-game scoring record with 41 points in a Feb. 11 loss to Douglas. Senior point guard Cody Reece delivered an all-state performance, especially in the three-game state tourney. Showing his heart-and-soul qualities, Reece was the event’s fifth-leading scorer at 14.3 points per game to go with a tournament-best 20 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game. 9. Dylan Wu Medford’s Dylan Wu enjoyed a full season on the PGA Tour circuit, capping a 25-event 2021-22 campaign with one top-10 finish, three finishes among the top 25 and a No. 168 ranking in the FedEx Cup standings after earning 175 points. The St. Mary’s High graduate earned nearly $383,000 after making 11 cuts. The 26-year-old golfer tied for 10th in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for his top finish, but also was tied for 20th in the Sony Open and tied for 21st in the Barbasol Championship. 10. Medford Sports Hall of Fame After an exhaustive vetting process, the Medford Sports Hall of Fame developed an impressive list of 11 inductees to join its ranks that included Jerry Allen (sports broadcasting); Tosha Barnicoat-Firestone (athlete); John Christensen (special contributor); George Daves (athlete); David Faaeteete (athlete); Terry Maddox (athlete); Randy Settell (athlete); Braden Shipley (athlete); Kyle Singler (athlete); EJ Singler (athlete); and Brett Wolfe (coach). Honorable mention - State swimming: Crater’s Marcus Reyes-Gentry smashes a pair of state records in winning Class 5A titles in the 100-yard backstroke (47.45 seconds) and 200 I.M. (1:49.6). St. Mary’s senior Asa Frisbee wins state titles in the 100 and 200 freestyle and 200-freestyle relay during the 3A meet. - Kyla Potratz secures the first girls individual title in Phoenix cross-country history after previously winning the Skyline Conference championship. - SOU men’s basketball coach Brian McDermott retires after 26 seasons at the helm. - Medford Mustangs win 18th state title in program history and advance to the American Legion AAA Northwest Regional, where they go 2-2 and just miss out on playing on the final day. - South Medford softball claims its first conference title in 19 years, including a rare sweep of rival North Medford. - Phoenix boys soccer team reaches the Class 4A state championship final as a No. 14 seed and finishes as state runner-up after a 1-0 loss to Ontario in the final. - South Medford’s Michael Maiorano runs the second-fastest 2-mile prep time in Oregon history at 8 minutes, 46.92 seconds — trailing only Steve Prefontaine 8:41.5 in 1969 — during the Arcadia Invitational. - Former Crater wrestling standout Zeth Brower becomes the first All-American and first national champion at Lander University after securing his second national title overall. - South Medford volleyball team advances to the state tournament for the first time in program history as SWC runner-up behind all-state leader Katie Clevenger. - Talent’s Marci Klimek sets the Pear Blossom Run women’s record to earn her seventh title overall in 56 minutes, 45 seconds. - North Medford junior tight end AJ Pugliano commits to the University of Oregon as the state’s No. 2 recruit for his class. - State golf: St. Mary’s senior Riley Hammericksen and junior Brock Drury win boys and girls 3A/2A/1A individual titles. St. Mary’s girls are state champions and boys are runners-up, and the Crater boys finish as 5A state runner-up. - Charlie Hall resigns as SOU football coach after six seasons, finishing 28-26 with one Frontier Conference title. - Crater volleyball team wins every MWL match in straight sets and winds up fifth at 5A state tournament behind league player of the year Kendra Bittle. - Crater boys soccer team earns first conference title in program history. - North Medford Fastpitch wins 16A Western Nationals softball championship with undefeated run through tourney. Have a story idea? Reach sports editor Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] or via Twitter @Kris_Henry Crater's Tyrone Gorze runs alone through the 2-mile marker on his way to winning the boys Class 5A cross-country championships at Lane Community College in Eugene. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Medford's Jacob Melton signs with the Houston Astros after being selected 64th overall in the 2022 MLB draft on July 17. Photos courtesy of the Houston Astros organization Cascade Christian football players and coaches celebrate after winning the Class 3A state championship with a victory over Kennedy at Cottage Grove High School. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] South Medord's Andrew Walker crosses the finish winning the 100-meter dash during the Class 6A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune North Medford's Nathan Rider sprints off the final turn winning the 400-meter run during the Class 6A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Phoenix's Elwood Hosking looks to pass Valley Catholic's Henry Tierney off the final turn to win the 800-meter run during the Class 4A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSouth Medford's Michael Maiorano, left, pushes to the finish line for second place in the 3,000-meter run during the Class 6A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSt Mary's Mackenzie Walker clears the bar winning the pole-vault during the Class 3A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Andy Atkinson / Mail TribuneSt Mary's Gavin Cougle pushes for the win in the 100-meter dash during the Class 3A state track and field championships at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Southern Oregon University catcher Riley Donovan was named the NAIA Player of the Year after her record-setting junior season with the Raiders. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune South Medford's Donovyn Hunter thanks her coach Tom Cole during a signing ceremony to her commitment to Oregon State at South Medford High School. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] Cascade Christian's Austin Maurer and Cody Reece are awarded all-tournament honors at the 3A basketball championships in Coos Bay. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Cascade Christian's Austin Maurer shoots a 3-pointer during the 3A basketball championships in Coos Bay. Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune Dylan Wu lines up his putt on the 10th green during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Matt York) Former South Medford basketball standout E.J. Singler speaks during the induction ceremony into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame. Photo by Denise Baratta