Siuslaw junior Claire Waggoner and senior Kenneth Thrall have spirit, yes they do.

Respect, integrity, leadership, sportsmanship and responsibility, too.

For that the young couple has been named the school's 2015-16 recipients of the "Spirit of a Champion Award" by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association.

"The award was given by their peers and coaches," Vikings athletic director Jeromy Graybill said. "That was a very great choice by their peers and coaches. I feel they represent our school very well."

The annual OADA award is sponsored by Bi-Mart, which also prints and displays posters of the winners.

"Those two provide a lot for us," Graybill said. "They are great leaders, not just in our schools, but also in the community."

Graybill did the legwork for the award, which last year went to Vikings standouts Trey Cornish and Courtney King.

"Kenneth comes from a long line of Viking tradition, just great family values," the second-year Viking AD said. "Same with Claire Waggoner.

"I narrowed our choices down, and then asked the coaches and peers. It was hands-down unanimous for those two."

Waggoner and Thrall are a couple in spirit and in fact, the high school sweethearts both three-sport athletes and both active in Siuslaw Interact, a community-service club for youth 14 to 18 years of age.

"I think the qualities that we both got recognized for kind of connect us," said Waggoner of her growing relationship with Thrall. "The award means a lot. It's a really great honor to be recognized."

Thrall was equally thrilled.

"I'm really happy that people think of me so highly," Thrall said. "It's cool."

Waggoner has been playing volleyball, basketball and softball for the Vikings since moving back to Florence last year from Alaska.

Thrall got his third varsity football letter last fall, and will be getting his first varsity letter in basketball this season. But baseball is his first love, and he expects to get his fourth varsity letter this spring.

"I can hit a baseball better than a 3-pointer, that's for sure," he joked. "I want to go to community college for two years and play baseball."

Then the plan is to transfer to Oregon State University to complete a major in forestry.

Waggoner, on the other hand, continues to build an impressive academic, athletic and service portfolio for her senior year.

"I thought the award was just a senior-only thing," Waggoner said. "Coming from my teammates, it makes it really special.

"I love my teams, whether it's my volleyball team, my basketball team, or my softball team. I feel a bond with each of them, and I try to make them all feel special."