Federal Way Mirror 2022 Athletes of the Year contest voting

Vote for your male and female Athletes of the Year!

May 13, 2022 3:30 pm
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Welcome to the Federal Way Mirror 2022 Athletes of the Year contest.

Despite challenges beyond control, high school athletes across the Federal Way Public Schools district continue to work hard, break records and strive for greatness — in their sports and in school.

Each athlete below was honored as a Federal Way Mirror Athlete of the Week throughout the 2021-2022 school year and selected as a finalist by each high school.

Now, it’s time for the community to decide who should be named the Federal Way Mirror 2022 Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Voting ends Monday, May 30.

Read about the candidates below, then cast your vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJDLYHK

MALE ATHLETES

Decatur High School

  • Sochetrapagna “Pagna” Keo, cross country, track & field, senior: Pagna is completing his fourth year in the Decatur track & field program. He recently cleared 13-feet 3-inches in pole vault and is now the record holder in Decatur High School track & field history in that event. Pagna also set a personal record (PR) in Long Jump in our last NPSL meet. He has also been a four-year participant in cross country. Pagna has excelled in the classroom earning a 3.863 cumulative Grade Point Average as a full-time Running Start student, preparing to earn his associate’s degree and high school diploma in June.
  • Zechariah Siva, football, wrestling, track & field, senior: Zechariah completed his fourth season as an offensive and defensive line starter in our football program. Last season was selected by the NPSL Coaches on their All-League teams. He was a unanimous decision to represent Decatur’s team in the role of captain based on his leadership on and off the field. Zechariah is also a four-year participant in wrestling and track & field. In track & field, he has excelled in both shot put and discus and is ranked in NPSL both events. Zechariah has challenged himself with a rigorous schedule earning a 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average.

Federal Way High School

  • Isaiah Afework, basketball, baseball, junior: Isaiah is a two-sport athlete who has lettered in both baseball and basketball since his freshmen year. He is a leader on an off the field of play as a mentor to our underclass scholars. He competes at a high level and loves playing for Federal Way High School. He was named to the first team All-NPSL for basketball as well as named the NPSL Defensive Player of the Year. He currently has a 3.95 GPA.
  • Andre Jordan Jr., football, basketball, track, junior: Andre plays on both sides of the ball for the Eagle football team, where he had three interceptions and received All-League honors for NPSL Defensive Back of the Year. He also received First Team NPSL honors as receiver, kick returner, and defensive back. He holds multiple Division 1 offers for football. Andre also plays on the Eagle basketball team, which competed in the state tournament, and runs track. In his spare time, he referees for the local flag football league. Andre has a 3.35 Grade Point Average.

Thomas Jefferson High School

  • Aaron Oh, swimming, senior: Aaron been a mentor in leadership class, and is an active member of his church as a Praise Leader. Aaron competed in three relays at the state swim championships as well as the 50 freestyle, and was named 1st Team All-League in the 3A NPSL. He has a 3.6 cumulative GPA, and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall where he plans to study physical therapy.
  • Owen Tonseth, swimming, track & field, tennis, senior: Owen has been a mentor at Thomas Jefferson, and is part of the school pep band. This swim season, he was named 1st Team All-League in the 3A NPSL, competed in three relays at the state swim championships, and is a state qualifier in tennis. Owen has a 4.0 cumulative GPA, and will be attending George Fox University in the fall where he will compete on their men’s swim team.

Todd Beamer High School

  • Malik Agbo, senior: Malik is a three-sport letter earner who has had a phenomenal senior year. He was selected on the North Puget Sound League’s first team for both Offensive and Defensive Lineman and was selected the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Twenty-six Division 1 Schools were recruiting him before he decided to attend the University of Texas, where he will receive a full ride scholarship. Malik enjoyed playing basketball for the Titans. He was a great team player. Gave us some great minutes, and started multiple games. He is currently part of the Track and Field team competing in the shot put and the discus and recently even high jumped! He is the City Champion in the Shot Put. Off of the field Malik is always doing the right things. He is polite, greets people with a smile, attends high school events and rarely misses a class or a practice. He is the epitome of what a scholar athlete should be.
  • Justin Sanner, wrestling, track & field, senior: Justin is a two-sport letter earner competing in wrestling and track and field. Justin was a leader and captain on the Todd Beamer wrestling team. He led by example in the room and on the mat. He exemplified gratitude daily with his teammates, coaches, and opponents. He was a state wrestling qualifier this year. He also competed in Track and Field and was a varsity track athlete three years for Todd Beamer. Justin has steadily improved each year in track and has qualified for the NPSL championships in the 110 high hurdles, 300 intermediate hurdles, 200 Meter dash and as a member of the 4 x 100 relay team. Justin has stepped in to being a leader on the team and can always be counted on. His focus and dedication to track is something other members on the team can turn to as an example.

FEMALE ATHLETES

Decatur High School

  • Kayla Johnson, basketball, senior: Kayla is an exemplary scholar-athlete and a multi-faceted player. She led the team on offense in scoring and on defense in rebounding and steals. She was selected as All-League Goalkeeper in soccer her junior year. Kayla has earned a 3.948 cumulative Grade Point Average as a full-time Running Start scholar. Kayla enjoys and has demonstrated an expertise in English language and literature. She is on track to earn her high school diploma and associate’s degree this spring. Kayla has signed a National Letter to participate in women’s basketball at University of Alaska-Fairbanks to continue both her academic and athletic pursuits.
  • Marissa Nagode, gymnastics, senior: Marissa has competed in the All-Around (vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor exercises) for all NPSL gymnastics meets. Her outstanding performance has placed her in the top of all NPSL gymnasts. Marissa is one of the team captains who has built a team atmosphere that encourages growth fostering peak performances for all individuals. This team focus has been the difference in team victories this season. She is a four-year letter winner, with a previous highlight of performing with her team at the WIAA 4A state meet as a sophomore and again to conclude her senior season. Marissa is also a leader in the classroom earning a 4.0 cumulative Grade Point Average. This includes six Advanced Placement courses.

Federal Way High School

  • Achalay Reyes, soccer, basketball, track, senior: Achalay has been a three-sport varsity letter winner since her freshman year, participating in soccer, basketball and track & field. As a full Cambridge scholar, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while participating in athletics, clubs and has served as a Scholar Advisor to the Superintendent for seven years. She has taken on leadership roles as captain of her soccer and basketball teams, and is the current ASB president. At Federal Way High School, she has been exposed to a plethora of cultures and identities that only this school can offer, and from that, her character and personality have developed to be supportive, resilient, sympathetic, ambitious and energetic.
  • Esther Akinlosotu, track, senior: Esther is the president of the Black Student Union and Federal Way’s mentor program, Link Crew. She has been involved with these organizations since her freshman ear. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she earned two All-American titles in triple jump and placed third at the Junior Olympics. She recently set the Federal Way High School triple jump record, and has maintained a 3.9 GPA at Highline College. Esther is graduating this spring with both her high school diploma and her associate’s degree in business.

Thomas Jefferson High School

  • Evelyn Stillgebaur, swimming, bowling, fast pitch, senior: Evelyn is a three-sport athlete, and is the 4469 RAID Robotics team captain. She was 1st Team All-League in the 3A NPSL for bowling, with a 161 average. She has a 4.0 GPA and will be attending the University of Arizona in Tucson.
  • Sophia McDonald, swimming, track & field, senior: Sophia is the 4469 RAID Robotics team captain, swim team captain and an executive mentor in leadership class. As a track & field competitor, she is currently ranked 2nd in pole vault and 1st in the 100 meters in the 3A NPSL. Sophia has a 3.73 cumulative GPA and will be attending the University of Guelph in Canada where she hopes to compete in track & field.

Todd Beamer High School

  • Ashley Lee, bowling, golf, tennis, sophomore: Ashley Lee is a three-sport letter earner. She played a significant role on the bowling team this year. Her desire to improve, competitive nature, dedication to the sport, and positive energy gave our team more passion and purpose. She helped us finish the season with the best record and playoff advancement in Todd Beamer’s bowling history. Ashley played #2 singles for the tennis team the majority of the year. Her record in singles was 7-3, she was 2-0 playing #1 singles. Her best win of the season was a victory vs. Auburn Mountain View in the deciding match to decide the team match. She was Todd Beamer’s lone female golfer. Ashley is only a sophomore and carries a 4.0 GPA.
  • Candace Nhye, basketball, track & field, junior: a two-sport letter earner in this her Junior year. She participated in basketball and track & field. Candace is currently ranked second in 300H, second in high jump, 3rd in 100H and fourth in the 400 in the NPSL. She is a true team player in track. She is willing to run any event to help the team win. Her versatility is evident in the events she did this year: 100H, 300H, 400, 4×1, 4×2, 4×4, and high jump. She is a team leader at practice that consistently leads the warm-ups. Candace is currently ranked 2nd in 300H, 2nd in high jump, 3rd in 100H and 4th in the 400 in the NPSL. Candace was a role player on the basketball team. She saw limited action but showed up every day pushing her teammates to be better. Candace carries a 3.62 GPA.

Don’t forget — your vote matters! Voting closes Monday, May 30. Cast your vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KJDLYHK