Ten Husky alumni – four wrestlers, three swimmers, one rower and one volleyball player – competed at the collegiate level throughout the year. Here’s how they did.
Paige Chafin (2022)
Wrestling for Eastern Oregon University as a sophomore, Paige Chafin placed sixth in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Cascade Collegiate Conference in the 123 pound weight division. Chafin earned a well-deserved Conference Wild Card Bid and made an appearance in the round of 16 at the NAIA Tournament, but fell 14-9 to Midland University.
Chafin was awarded NWCA Scholar Athlete, which recognizes exceptional student athletes who demonstrate excellence in both academics and athletics.
Megan Hager (2019)
Swimming for Colorado State as a senior, Megan Hager had a collegiate record in the 100 Freestyle during the Mountain West Championships at 50.56. She scored in all three of her races at the Mountain West Championships, graduating with 11 scoring swims at the meet in her career. Hager had the Rams’ second fastest time in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. She scored in every meet through the season, winning a pair of races at the Mines dual. Hager also broke the 400 and 800 free relay school-record.
Bailee Hartsook (2021)
Bailee Hartsook has been playing volleyball for Western Oregon University as an outside hitter. Her ‘23 season highs include 13 kills, 33 digs and 15 points versus Northwest Nazarene, two assists at Seattle Pacific, three aces at Saint Martin’s and three blocks versus Simon Fraser.
Toree Hawken (2020)
Toree Hawken has been rowing at Oregon State University. In her 2023-24 season, she competed in all five spring regattas and spent the entire season with the first varsity eights, rowing out of the two seats in four competitions. Hawken helped beat Miami and Washington State during the season opener, ultimately winning. She sat in the sixth seat for a 1V8+ boat that finished in fourth place at the ‘24 Pac-12 Championships finishing behind three opponents who Nationally ranked in the top-10.
Russell Holly (2021)
Russell Holly has been the right-handed pitcher for Linn Benton Community College. Out of his 17 appearances, Holly pitched 34.2 innings, allowing 15 hits, five runs, five earned runs and getting 30 strikeouts. Overall Holly has an earned run average of 6.00.
Marissa Kurtz (2019)
Wrestling out of Southern Oregon University, Marissa Kurtz, a junior, wrestled in the NAIA Women Cascade Collegiate Conference. She won 8-6 by decision against Eastern Oregon Universitys’ Irma Retano. She won her next match 9-0 by fall against University of Providences’ Belinda Arias before losing 11-4 by decision to Menlo Colleges’ Ajayzee Zaballos. Kurtz placed second.
According to souraiders.com, Kurtz competed primarily at 116, posting an overall 9-7 record.
Kelsie Rush (2023)
Kelsie Rush has been wrestling out of Linfield University. She has been wrestling at 116, and finished the season with a 2-2 record, leaving her with a 50% win percentage. Rush won in the 116 by forfeit versus Pacific University.
Travis Thorpe (2020)
Travis Thorpe wrestled at 157 as a sophomore at Southern University, but missed a chunk of the season due to injury. He placed fifth at the Cascade Conference Championships as the No. 8 seed, helping Southern take second place in the team race. He also posted a 8-7 record and went 2-1 in duals.
