Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (March 9 to 14)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week for contests played between March 9-14. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winner is:
Ethan Shaefer, North Thurston baseball
The Rams starter threw three no-hit innings (0 ER) with one walk and five strikeouts in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Yelm.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.
Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Kannius Alva, Enumclaw baseball — Left fielder went 3-for-3 with a walk, two doubles, and four RBI in Saturday’s 11-8 win over Olympic.
Jackson Brady, Central Kitsap baseball — Right-hander threw five strong innings (1 H, 1 ER) with three walks and seven strikeouts in Saturday’s 5-2 win over rival South Kitsap.
Trey Davies, Tahoma baseball — Second baseman went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Thursday’s 8-4 win over O’Dea.
Ricardo del Fierro, Kentridge baseball — The second baseman’s bases-clearing triple in the fifth inning lifted the Chargers over North Creek, 5-2, on Wednesday.
Liam Epperson, Rogers baseball — Leadoff second baseman went 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Kentwood.
Kole French, North Thurston baseball — Leadoff shortstop went 1-for-2 with a single and two walks in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Yelm.
Tanner Herdman, Central Kitsap baseball — Center fielder went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday’s 5-2 win over rival South Kitsap.
Max Huteson, Stadium baseball — Sophomore threw 4.1 shutout relief innings with no walks and nine strikeouts in Thursday’s 19-4 win over Mount Tahoma.
Travis Kunkel, Olympia baseball — Bears starter threw three strong innings (1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) and went 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Tumwater.
Makhai Merton, Stadium baseball — Second baseman went 2-for-3 with a double, walk, and five RBI in Thursday’s 19-4 win over Mount Tahoma.
Gabe Schrader, Orting baseball — Cardinals right-hander threw five shutout innings (2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K) in Saturday’s 10-0 win over Ephrata.
Ethan Shaefer, North Thurston baseball — Rams starter threw three no-hit innings (0 ER) with one walk and five strikeouts in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Yelm.
Anthony Solorio, Rogers baseball — Rams starter scattered two runs (1 ER) over 3.1 innings, allowing four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Solorio went 1-for-3 with a single at the plate.
This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Winner of The News Tribune’s Boys Athlete of the Week (March 9 to 14)."
