Vote: Who was the best multi-sport male athlete in the South Sound in 2023-24?

The 2023-24 high school year is in the books. Across the South Sound, some athletes were stars in multiple sports, earning all-league recognition in different seasons. Some were even three-sport athletes for their schools.

Who was the best male multi-sport athlete in our area this school year? We want to hear from you. Voting will remain open until noon Friday, June 28.

The poll is located at the bottom of the story, below the list of athletes. 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.

Damian Aalona, Yelm — 3A SSC offensive MVP was high-level quarterback for 3A state tournament runner-up Tornados and was an all-league honorable mention pick in basketball.

Marius Aalona, Yelm — 3A SSC first-team selection at wide receiver was also a first-team all-league selection in basketball.

Xavier Ahrens, Curtis — Three-sport star at Curtis played football, basketball and ran track. Earned 4A SPSL all-league and TNT All-Area honors at defensive back and was a second-team all-league selection in basketball. In first year running track, was part of Curtis’ state 4x100 relay team.

Ka’Jon Babcock, Emerald Ridge — Played football and ran track for Jaguars, earning 4A SPSL second-team honors in football. Four-time WIAA state meet qualifier took second in 400-meters.

Jack Burkhardt, Tenino — Beavers starting WR/TE added first-team baseball honors and an all-league honorable mention in basketball.

Drew Carlson, Olympia — Played football and basketball this school year for the Bears, and played soccer at one point of his high school career, too. In football, was a first-team athlete selection on offense in the 4A SPSL. In basketball, was a first-team 4A SPSL South selection. Was a key contributor on Olympia’s 4A state basketball runner-up team in 2023.

Darrell Gipson, Timberline — Played football and basketball for the Blazers. In football, earned 3A SSC defensive player of the year TNT All-Area first-team honors. In basketball, was an all-league first-team selection. Idaho State football commit.

Austin Gonia, Tenino — Three-sport Beavers captain earned first-team 1A Evergreen honors in basketball and baseball, adding an honorable mention in football. On the diamond, caught every inning of Tenino baseball for three seasons.

Tony Harste, Emerald Ridge — Played football and basketball for the Jaguars this school year, earning 4A SPSL first-team honors, TNT All-Area and TNT all-state honors at receiver last fall. Idaho football signee.

Martyn Hernandez, Rogers — Played football and baseball for the Rams and was named Rogers’ special teams player of the year as a kicker returner. In baseball, was a first-team 4A SPSL all-league and TNT All-Area selection.

Karson Holt, Enumclaw — A rare first-team 2A SPSL selection on both sides of the football (receiver and linebacker), Holt added second-team honors with Enumclaw basketball and was the baseball team’s everyday leadoff hitter.

Rocco Koch, Curtis — 4A SPSL football co-MVP was also a TNT All-Area and all-state football selection and played lacrosse for the Vikings, as well.

Douglas Kyson, Puyallup — 4A SPSL second-team running back selection in football also ran track, taking seventh in state in the 200-meters and fifth in state in the 4x100 relay team.

Omaha Lutu-Ili, Decatur — Freshman was a second-team 4A NPSL all-league selection at tight end in football, swam for the Gators and competed on the track and field team at districts.

Parker Mady, Curtis — Played football and baseball for the Vikings this school year, earning 4A SPSL first-team honors at wide receiver, as well as TNT All-Area honors. Was also a first-team 4A SPSL selection at shortstop in the spring.

TJ Marshall, Annie Wright — Played football, basketball and ran track for the Gators. In football, led the team in several defensive statistics. First-team 1A Nisqually basketball selection.

Ben Sauer, Emerald Ridge — Ran cross country in the fall and track in the spring, placing 10th at the WIAA Class 4A state cross country meet. District champion in track in 800 and 1,600-meters and second-place state finisher in 800.

Jake Schakel, Emerald Ridge — Played football and basketball for Emerald Ridge. At quarterback, Schakel rewrote the Emerald Ridge record book, earning 4A SPSL offensive player of the year honors, as well as TNT All-Area and all-state honors. Eastern Washington football commit.

Cash Short, Tumwater — First-team 2A Evergreen linebacker directed Tumwater’s defense to a state championship appearance. Wrestled for the T-Birds, earning fourth place in the 2A 190 at the Tacoma Dome’s Mat Classic XXXV.

Jonah Smith, Yelm — Played football, wrestled and played baseball for the Tornados, part of Yelm’s runner-up 3A state tournament football team, a 285-pound state wrestling Mat Classic champion and third baseman and pitcher for the baseball team.

Ben Stevens, Gig Harbor — Played football and ran track for the Tides this school year. Second-team all-league selection in 3A SSC during football season at receiver. In track, is the school record holder in the 200-meters (22.07 seconds), a two-time SSC track athlete of the meet and appeared eight times on the state podium in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay.

Dylan Stevens, Tumwater — T-Birds striker was named 2A Evergreen MVP as a junior, directing Tumwater to the 2A state soccer tournament. First-team kicker on Tumwater’s state runner-up football team.

Cody Strawn, Tenino — Beavers QB was a four-year starter for Tenino football, adding four years of varsity baseball service as a right-handed pitcher. Advanced to the 1A state tournament on Tenino’s basketball team.

Derek Thompson, Tumwater — First-team 2A Evergreen infielder committed to Lower Columbia College last month. Football receiver and defensive back named an all-league honorable mention.

Luvens Valcin, Auburn — Played football, basketball and ran track for the Trojans. In football, earned 3A NPSL player of the year and TNT All-Area first-team honors. In basketball, was a first-team 3A NPSL selection, leading the Trojans to the 3A state tournament. Montana State football commit.

Tre’ Walker, Mount Tahoma — Played football and basketball for T-Birds, earning second-team 3A SSC honors at quarterback and first-team 3A PCL honors in basketball.

Nehemiah Washington, Decatur — Played football, wrestled and competed in track and field for the Gators this school year. In football, was the 4A NPSL offensive player of the year and a TNT All-Area selection. Took third place in the state wrestling Mat Classic meet and was a district shot put and discus participant.

Kellen Weedon, Sound Christian Academy — Two-sport athlete played golf and baseball for the Tacoma school. First-team all-league golf selection in 1B SeaTac League. Also a first-team all-league selection in baseball, Weedon tossed a no-hitter this spring.