Derek Puppo: Boys Soccer

Derek Puppo has led the varsity team as the starting goalkeeper for all four years of his high school career. The Cleveland team has let in only 17 goals so far this season, and Puppo is a big reason for the low number.  He isn’t responsible for all of the goals due to the future goalkeepers being put in to gain experience. In his second year as a team captain, Puppo has focused on improving his communication.“I’ve worked on how I interact with and how I command my backline (defenders) has drastically improved, and more specifically, staying optimistic on and off the field,” Puppo said. Out of all other Oregon high school goalkeepers, Puppo ranks as one with the most varsity experience, which will come into play as he helps lead the team into his fourth year in the OSAA playoffs. 

Olivia Palmer: Cross Country

This season, Olivia Palmer has solidified herself as the fastest runner on the girls cross country team. As both a senior and a captain, she believes, “For me, being a team captain means showing by example and really just giving it my all to improve myself and the team.” Palmer’s 5k time has improved from 20:29.7 to 19:03.3 in just a year, putting her eighth in the PIL going into the district meet on Oct. 29. In the offseason, she credits “being consistent” with set schedules during the week and a healthy balance of workout days and easy days. “I also like to run on the weekends, and I just make sure to really push myself to the limit,” Palmer said. If Palmer keeps up this consistency, she is on track to place high at the district meet, however, her real goal for the season is to “ try to get my team to state.”