Nelms, 57, has spent more than three decades in education, most recently at Los Alamos in New Mexico

VC baseball is in the semis today, while the Valiant girls track team won state last week

The senior racks up more than 5,000 votes in the biggest poll turnout of the year

Voting closes today.

Plus, some bonus editor's picks on a 65-0 baseball game, a softball player with a failing body and photos from the Oregon track and field state championships.

Efraimson runs the fastest time ever by a junior in Washington, and just misses the all-time best mark

The Valiants won their first-ever state title in 3A girls track and field.

In case you missed them, these five Oregonian high school sports stories proved most popular with readers on Thursday, May 29

Vikings coach Scott McCahon said never mind that Hammond was a star athlete and team captain in his program; the "unbelievable" smile and "wonderful" personality are the things he'll miss most.

Voting is open through June 2 for The Oregonian's Athletes of the Year in tennis, track and field and golf.