A pair of small-school standouts took home the latest Torq Fitness Athletes of the Week honors after using dominating performances late in the season.
Dee-Mack’s Jerry Hahn and Canton’s Kinnley Smith won last week’s awards as Smith left no doubt in her sectional wrestling meet and Hahn led the Chiefs to a pair of notable late-season conference wins.
Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Hahn won Torq Fitness Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 49 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Dee-Mack forward helped the Chiefs to a 59-50 upset win over El Paso-Gridley on Feb. 14, leading his team with 22 points and eight rebounds. Hahn notched a strong 17-point, 13-rebound performance, which was key in Dee-Mack overcoming an 18-point deficit against Ridgeview on Feb. 11 to win 68-66.
Get to know Hahn in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“Beating [El Paso-Gridley] at home.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“I’d choose Max Eccles cause he’d hunt for everything and get the most done.”
Favorite music artist?
“Drake.”
Favorite food?
“Pizza.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Listening to music.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“LeBron James.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“No hidden talents whatsoever.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model would be my dad because of how hard he pushes me and expects me to be at my best.”
Smith won Torq Fitness Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 41 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Canton wrestling standout continued a big senior season by winning a Geneseo Sectional title at 130 pounds to clinch a state berth. She began the sectional by pinning Sterling’s Skyann Munz in 53 seconds before doing the same to Seneca’s Catalina Pacheco in 1:25. Smith pinned Joliet Catholic Academy’s Grace Laird in 1:31 to reach the title match. After beating those three opponents, who have a combined record of 80-18, Smith enters the state finals at 40-3 on the season.
Get to know Smith in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory of the season is when our girls team won our very first conference [tournament]! It was super exciting to be able to say that we are the first Mid-Illini girls champs! It was also senior night which was super special!”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“If I were stranded on an island with a teammate, it would probably Kennedy [Smith]. Kennedy and I can literally talk about anything and everything! She would make our terrible situation better by helping make jokes and making the situation laughable.”
Favorite music artist?
“My music majorly varies but my favorite music artist is probably either Frank Ocean or Noah Kahan.”
Favorite food?
“My favorite food is ice cream!”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“My pre-match ritual is super lengthy but I have to do it before every match! My pre-match ritual starts when the 115 [pound] wrestlers are assigned to a mat. At this time, I will put on my headphones and listen to my wrestling playlist! I really get into the music and am always dancing and bobbing my head just to kinda wake up and stay active before my match. Once I’m in the hole, I take my hoodie off and continue to stay moving. After that match is over, I strap up my headgear and give my coaches my things. I try to stay calm by cracking jokes with my coaches and just talking about random things with them. I hit my legs and arms to warm myself up as I wait. Once its my turn to wrestle, I slap my coaches hands. It's always in the same order. I start with Mo, then Kam and then finally I slap [Coach] Crawford’s hands. After that, I check in and put my ankle band on. Lastly I shake the ref's hand and then my match begins.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“My favorite college athlete is Amit Elor. She is just such an amazing person on and off the mat. She has had to overcome such hard things in her life and the sport of wrestling. She is such an inspiring female athlete because she shows younger athletes that being strong is beautiful!”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My mom is my biggest role model and I admire her for being one of the hardest-working and kindest people I know. She has taught me valuable lessons as an athlete and individual, including the importance of perseverance and giving my best effort. Time and again, she has shown me how to overcome obstacles and keep going.”
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