HERMISTON — Ben Larson has earned his fair share of accolades in his four years at Hermiston High School.

His latest honors include class valedictorian and the Mid-Columbia Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Larson is the first Hermiston student-athlete to earn the award since the school joined the MCC in 2018.

“Ben exemplifies the rewards of hard work and commitment as a student-athlete at Hermiston High School,” Hermiston Athletic Director Larry Usher said. “I couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments in both the classroom and athletics.”

The award is voted on by the MCC athletic directors, who select students based on outstanding accomplishments in academics and athletics.

Usher said the award also comes with a $1,500 scholarship.

Larson excelled in four sports during his time at Hermiston — football, track and field, wrestling and golf. He earned 11 varsity letters, competed at the state level five times, and won three state medals in wrestling.

He received six all-conference selections — four times in wrestling and twice in football.

While he played football and wrestled for four years, he competed in track for two years, and golf his senior year.

“Golf was really fun,” Larson said. “Usually in the spring, I was doing extra wrestling, and I wasn’t that good at track. I decided I would go mad if I didn’t do anything, so I played golf.”

Larson, who has wrestled since he was 5, said he has mixed feelings now that he will no longer be competing. He said he might need that time for his studies in college.

In the classroom, Larson maintained a 4.21 weighted GPA, completing seven Advanced Placement courses over four years.

“I just took as many as I felt I could handle,” Larson said.

This year, he is taking Advanced Placement calculus, AP government and AP literature.

“I feel the more you enjoy the classes, the easier it is,” Larson said. “I didn’t enjoy the math classes. The science and English classes were more fun for me.”

Larson will attend Oregon State University, where he will study biohealth sciences. OSU’s medical school acceptance rate is 67%, well above the national average of 40%.

“I’m debating between orthopedic surgery and dentistry, which is what my dad (Jeremy) does,” Larson said.

This summer, Larson plans to work and has already applied for a few jobs.

Hermiston’s Megan Joyce was nominated for MCC Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Joyce has excelled as a track and cross-country athlete, while maintaining a 4.12 weighted GPA.

“Megan is an incredible, hardworking and humble young woman who is a tremendous asset to our school and athletic program,” Usher said. “We are proud to have her represent our school as an athlete.”