A trio of Oregonians were honored by the National State High School Associations (NFHS) last week. Anna Maria Lopez, arguably the greatest female athlete in state history, and Jane Berry-Eddings, co-director of the State Speech Championships Committee, were both voted into the NFHS Hall of Fame, while Jesuit’s Avery Teed is the recipient of the 2025 National Spirit Award for Section 8.
Anna Maria Lopez
A pioneer in girls sports, Lopez was a four-sport athlete at St. Mary’s Academy – where she has given back as the school’s athletic director since 1991. A standout in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and softball, Lopez was a four-year letterwinner for the Blues – and a member of the first class of female athletes in the wake of Title IX in 1972.
“I am incredibly humbled to be included and honored to represent Oregon in the NFHS Hall of Fame,” said Lopez. “It is hard to imagine how different my life would be had I been born a few years earlier prior to Title IX passing. I recognize that living in Oregon, playing at St. Mary's Academy with great teammates and coaches was a wonderful springboard for me as a young athlete.”
Lopez led St. Mary’s to OSAA state titles in volleyball as a junior and senior alongside head coach Rick Lorenz – himself a 2015 inductee into the NFHS Hall of Fame. Her individual contributions earned her three all-state honors. On the basketball court she was a Parade All-American in 1978 and led St. Mary’s to a runner-up finish in 1977, and third place finish the year before.
She was also a two-time state champion in the discus for St. Mary’s track and field team.
Softball was not added as an OSAA-sponsored sport until 1979, but she continued her dominance in the spring with a local team.
“Athletics has always been a part of my life,” Lopez said. “Playing as a youngster, then in middle school and high school, collegiately, professionally, then coaching and now serving as the athletic director for the past 34 years – I just can't comprehend what my life would be like without sports.”
Jane Berry-Eddings
A veteran speech and debate coach for over 45 years, Berry-Eddings’s impact on the activity in the sport of Oregon is hard to measure. The former head coach at Sprague high school has had a nationwide impact on the activity with the OSAA, Oregon High School Speech League (OHSSL) and with the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA).
Since 1986, Berry-Eddings has served as the state director for the OSAA’s speech and debate championships, and she hosted the Sprague Invitational Debate from 1977-2005. Her involvement with the OHSSL encompasses various leadership roles as president, member of the rule change committee and created the coach’s handbook.
“It is very humbling to receive such an honor,” Berry-Eddings said. “It really belongs to all the students, coaches, judges, and parents who have made it such a joy to be a part of the Oregon speech and debate community.”
Nationally, Berry-Eddings has served on host committees and as an Oregon representative for the Debate Topic Selection Committee meetings, contributing significantly to shaping national debate topics. In 1990, she co-presented the topic on Homeless which became the 1991-92 National High School Debate Topic. In 1993, she received the NFHS Outstanding Speech Educator Award.
Berry-Eddings served on multiple tournament committees for the NSDA and was actively involved in Public Forum and Individual Event Committees for the NSDA National Tournament from 1999 to 2023.
“While a 40-year run is impressive, the impact she has had in this role is not limited to her longevity, but rather a testament to who she is as a person,” OSAA Executive Director Weber said. “I can unequivocally state that Jane is the nicest human being I have ever met. She always has time for a coach, a student or a judge, and that person is always the better for the interaction. Jane’s a wealth of knowledge, a fantastic mentor and a calming presence.”
Avery Teed
The National High School Spirt of Sport Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core missions of education-based athletics. Teed’s journey has been a representation of those ideals.
Teed received a rare cancer diagnosis during his freshman season. Amputation was the only option to stop the spread of a tumor in his right shoulder, which ended his baseball career as a pitcher at Jesuit.
The devastating loss of his dominant arm didn’t stop his involvement in sport. He stayed involved with the Crusaders on the diamond, and he also joined Jesuit’s ski team and track and field team.
On the track he won para-athlete state titles in the shot put, 100-meter, 1500-meter and 400-meter. His 20 points earned Jesuit first place as a combined team.
About the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA)
The OSAA is a non-profit, board-governed organization comprised of its member schools. The OSAA is dedicated to ensuring equitable competition for Oregon high school students through OSAA-sponsored events. The mission of the OSAA is to serve member schools by providing leadership and state coordination for the conduct of interscholastic activities, which will enrich the educational experiences of high school students. The OSAA will work to promote interschool activities that provide equitable participation opportunities, positive recognition and learning experiences to students, while enhancing the achievement of educational goals.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities.
natel@osaa.org
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