Marist Catholic’s Swim Star Takes Home Girls Athlete of the Week Honors!

Marist Catholic swimmer Piper Van Buskirk has been selected as the winner of the Eugene-area high school girls Athlete of the Week, as determined by Register-Guard readers.

Van Buskirk secured victory in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1 minute and 7 seconds; placed second in the 200 individual medley (2:33.9); and aided the Spartans to a second-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay (4:44.6) and third in the 200 medley relay (2:13.53) at a meet held on Dec. 14 against Sweet Home, Cascade, Riverside, and Philomath.

Van Buskirk garnered 31.21% of the reader poll votes, narrowly surpassing Harrisburg wrestler Paxton Steele (30.76%).

Below are this week’s additional nominees.

Kenadee Hunter, Harrisburg wrestling

Hunter triumphed by fall over Thurston’s Molly Hutchens at 155 pounds during a dual on Dec. 18 at Harrisburg High School.

Kassidy Hadden, Thurston wrestling

Hadden achieved victory by fall over Harrisburg’s Lily Ridgley at 135 pounds in a dual at Harrisburg High School. She contributed to the Colts’ 48-21 victory over Harrisburg.

Paxton Steele, Harrisburg wrestling

Steele clinched a win by fall against Thurston’s Rosy Montes at 115 pounds during a dual at Harrisburg High School.

Avery Bengston, Cottage Grove swimming

Bengtson took first place in the 200 individual medley with a time of 2 minutes, 22.23 seconds, and secured victory in the 500 freestyle in 5:49.23 on Dec. 20 against North Eugene and Creswell at Cottage Grove High School. She assisted the Cottage Grove girls in achieving a total of 129 points.

Edith Noriega serves as a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith.