Jarryd Denney is the Statesman Journal’s new high school sports reporter.
Denny will focus on covering Salem-Keizer Public Schools teams, as well as Marion and Polk County teams, and will also cover some Oregon sports.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Statesman Journal and work alongside its incredibly talented reporters, editors and photographers,” Denney said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to report on Major League Baseball, Pac-12 football and a variety of other topics, but local journalism holds a truly special place in my heart.”
Denny will fill the vacancy created by longtime sports writer Pete Martini, who died in November 2023 after a battle with cancer.
Denny most recently worked at On3.com, where he covered Oregon Ducks football and men’s basketball, and has also covered high school sports for The Register-Guard in Eugene and the Corvallis Gazette-Times, where he wrote an in-depth report on declining participation in Oregon high school football.
Since taking over in April, Denny has written feature articles and covered local teams competing in the OSAA State Baseball and Softball Tournaments, Track and Field State Championships and State Golf. He also covers Oregon State University baseball, football, the NFL Draft and women’s basketball, as well as writing about new and departing high school coaches.
Denny grew up in Cottage Grove and is a graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communications.
He looks forward to continuing to get to know the Mid-Valley sports community.
“We are excited to tell meaningful and impactful stories about the athletes who help shape the Salem and Oregon State University communities,” Denney said.
To share a story tip or contact Denny, email JDenney@Salem.gannett.com or follow him on X. Jarryd Denney.
Jonathan Williams is daily news editor for the Statesman Journal-Register-Guard. He can be reached at JCWilliams1@Salem.gannett.com.