5 Super Athletes With Ties To Redmond

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Redmond area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Claudia Wok (Track & Field)

Redmond native Claudia Wolf has made her mark in collegiate track and field, excelling in events like the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase. Wolf was a standout distance runner in high school, part of a 4A State Championship-winning cross-country team. Now competing at the collegiate level at Rensselaer, Wolf has earned multiple academic honors while consistently improving her times in distance events.

2. Madelyn Magee (Volleyball/Basketball/Track And Field)

A multi-sport standout from The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Madelyn Magee dominated in volleyball, basketball and track and field during her athletic career. A three-time state champion in the high jump, she also earned all-league and all-state honors in basketball while contributing to her volleyball team’s state tournament success. Magee graduated with a 3.89 GPA before heading to Columbia University, where she continued to compete in track and field.

3. Earl Johnson (Baseball)

Redmond native Earl Johnson was not only a major league pitcher but also a decorated World War II veteran. The left-handed pitcher spent eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, earning recognition for his skill on the mound. His military heroism during World War II, where he was awarded the Silver and Bronze Star, added to his legacy. Johnson later dedicated over four decades to scouting, helping shape the future of baseball talent.

4. Johnny Hekker (Football)

Johnny Hekker, also born in Redmond, has become one of the most decorated punters in NFL history. A four-time First-Team All-Pro, he holds the record for the longest punt in Super Bowl history (65 yards in Super Bowl LIII). After a standout career at Oregon State, Hekker joined the Rams in 2012, earning Pro Bowl honors and helping the team win Super Bowl LVI. He now punts for the Carolina Panthers, continuing his legacy as one of the best in the game.

5. Nick Downing (Soccer)

A Redmond-born soccer talent, Nick Downing rose through elite youth programs before leading the U.S. U-17 national team at the 1997 FIFA U-17 World Championship. Named the 1998 Gatorade National Player of the Year, he played collegiately at Maryland before being drafted into Major League Soccer by the New England Revolution. After his playing career, Downing transitioned into coaching, now serving as the strength and conditioning coach for the New England Revolution.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.