A pair of Woodford County standouts put on some of their best performances of the season and became the latest CSM Winter Athletes of the Week.
El Paso-Gridley’s Ryden Barker and Metamora’s Alivia Vaughan took home the honors after receiving the most votes in their respective polls. Barker was a key piece in the Titans winning the Prairie Central Hawk Classic while Vaughan put up a pair of double-figure games for the surging Redbirds.
Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Barker won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 49 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The El Paso-Gridley wrestler won his second individual tournament of the high school season by taking home the title at 215 pounds at the Prairie Central Hawk Classic and his 32 points were instrumental in the Titans winning the tournament. Barker, who is 29-3 on the season, pinned opponents from Plano and Sandwich to reach the semifinals, where he pinned Beardstown’s Ryder Hamlin in 1:34. In the championship match, he took down Peoria Notre Dame standout Joe Culp in 5:22.
Get to know Barker in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“Winning two tournaments so far.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“I would choose Dominic Ricconi because it would be fun.”
Favorite music artist?
“Riley Green.”
Favorite food?
“Pineapple pizza.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“No.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“Gable Stevenson.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“No.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“Jesus [because I] want to be a better person.”
Vaughan won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 46 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Metamora senior guard helped the Redbirds win a pair of key Mid-Illini Conference games that began a 3-game win streak in conference play. She led Metamora with 14 points in a 56-44 win over Limestone on Jan. 7 and increased her output with a big 20-point outing in a 61-48 victory over East Peoria on Jan. 10. Since then, she scored 10 in a 46-38 win against Dunlap on Jan. 14 and had 11 in a 49-43 loss to Class 3A No. 1 Washington on Jan. 18.
Get to know Vaughan in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“Going up north for our overnight trip in the Grow The Game Tournament and shopping together in Naperville. Also, seeing the strides we have made to get to where we are right now!”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“Any of my teammates would be super fun. I can’t decide because they are all great! We would have so many great laughs and have no idea how to survive!!”
Favorite music artist?
“One Direction.”
Favorite food?
“Watermelon or steak.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Yes! Alani, music, and my stretching routine.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“College, Paige Bueckers. Professional, Stephen Curry.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“Backflips on trampolines.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My parents because they are my biggest supporters and support me through the ups and downs and never give up on me. They also give me tips and work with me not only on the physical aspect of the game but the mental aspect as well.”
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