A pair of star wrestlers west of Peoria won last week’s CSM Winter Athletes of the Week after taking home first-place finishes at key tournaments.
Canton’s Katelyn Marvel and Farmington’s Bradlee Ellis took home the honors after receiving the most votes in their respective polls. Marvel was one of multiple Canton wrestlers to win a Mid-Illini Conference title while Ellis continued a strong season by winning at Orion’s Bob Mitton Invite.
Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Marvel won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after garnering 41 percent of the total votes in the girls poll. The Canton senior was one of seven Little Giants that won their brackets at the Mid-Illini Conference Tournament on Jan. 24 but stood out by pinning both of her opponents en route to the crown at 155. Marvel pinned Pekin’s Alyssa Artman in 1:16 in the semifinals before doing the same to East Peoria’s Ava Jatkowski in 1:52 in the title match. She recently qualified for IHSA Sectionals by placing third in the 145-pound bracket at the Jacksonville Regional on Feb. 1.
Get to know Marvel in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory from this season would be winning the first-ever girls conference [tournament].”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“If I was stuck on an island with a teammate, it would be Kinnley [Smith]. She brings all the fun stories and silly re-enactments. She makes the best roommate.”
Favorite music artist?
“My favorite artist is Tyler, The Creator.”
Favorite food?
“My favorite food is noodles.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“I listen to my playlist to get into a good mindset and repeat positive words to myself to help calm my nerves.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“My favorite college athlete is Reese Larramendy.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“My hidden talent is that I can flip and tumble like I did when I was younger.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is Sterling Diaz because she has a positive attitude and sportsmanship. She overcame an obstacle from being injured and is dominating on the mat. She has good leadership qualities because she mentors young wrestlers.”
Ellis won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 43 percent of the total votes in the boys poll. The junior, who attends North Fulton and wrestlers for their co-op with Farmington, prevailed in the 144-pound bracket, which featured 21 other wrestlers, at Orion’s Bob Mitton Invite. Ellis pinned Byron’s Aubin Oliver in 1:40 in the second round before pinning Sherrard’s Andrew Knox in 3:58 in the quarterfinals. From there, he pinned Walther Christian’s Caleb Peterson in 3:19 before beating Rockridge’s Thomas Sowards in a 6-0 decision in the championship match. The tournament title was Ellis’ fifth of the season.
Get to know Ellis in Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
"Winning 5/5 tournaments that I participated in."
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
"Chase Frye because he and I are practice partners and he knows when work needs done."
Favorite music artist?
"Kendrick Lamar."
Favorite food?
"Uncrustables and Sunny-D after weigh-ins."
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
"Make my headspace calm and confident."
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
"Jordan Burroughs."
Do you have any hidden talents?
"I can do a backflip."
Who’s your role model and why?
"My parents because they provide me with the opportunities I need to get to where I want to be."
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