For the third and fourth time during the winter sports season, a Morton athlete won Torq Fitness Winter Athlete of the Week honors after basketball star Wes Gudeman and wrestling regional champion Karen Canchola earned the awards last week.
Gudeman continued to be a crucial piece for the Class 3A No. 3 Potters on both sides of the ball, helping them win important games against Metamora and Manual. Canchola won multiple matches en route to a regional title in girls wrestling.
Read about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Gudeman won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 36 percent of the votes in the closely-contested boys poll. The Morton senior forward averaged 16 points per game during a three-game stretch that included wins over state-ranked foes Metamora and Manual, plus a Mid-Illini win over Pekin. Gudeman scored a team-high 21 in a 59-47 win over the Redbirds on on Jan. 28 and came up with 18 points and several key plays that didn’t show up in the stat sheet in a 53-51 win over the Rams at the Manual Shootout on Feb. 1. He was part of a true team effort in a 70-46 victory over Pekin on Jan. 31 as his nine points tied for the team lead.
Get to know Gudeman in Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory of the season is winning the Pekin Holiday Tournament, it was an incredible accomplishment and something I had grown up watching and wanting to win.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“I would be stranded with Grant Selke, he’s my boy and we’d never get bored. [He’s] also crafty and can put some things together to make it better.”
Favorite music artist?
“The Lumineers.”
Favorite food?
“Sushi.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“My pregame rituals include getting a sandwich from Great Harvest Bread Co. before every game and praying.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“My hidden talents are that I’m really good at magic and with a butterfly knife, I also can beat anyone in Lord of the Rings trivia.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my dad, he’s done everything for me and is a great role model of a God-fearing man and a man who I want to be in the future!”
Canchola won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 56 percent of the votes in the girls poll. She won the Metamora Regional title at 140 pounds to punch her ticket to sectionals, beating Dunlap’s Olivia Curtis via a 20-4 technical fall that took 4:11. Canchola has been a standard-bearer for Morton girls wrestling, having accumulated over 20 wins this season.
Get to know Canchola in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
"One of my favorite memories this season is winning the Pontiac wrestling tournament and becoming a three-time champ."
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
"My teammate Keira ???? because she is one of my close friends and wrestling has brought us a lot closer. She helps push me and make me stronger and she is good at finding solutions to problems. Me and Keira also work very well together and make the best team."
Favorite music artist?
"Billie Eilish or Travis Scott."
Favorite food?
"My favorite food is mac and cheese."
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
"I like listening to music and praying but also getting in my head and visualizing how I'll perform in my match."
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
"Ono Masanosuke is my favorite."
Do you have any hidden talents?
"I do not unfortunately."
Who’s your role model and why?
"I would say my mom, she pushes me everyday and she has been one of my biggest supporters throughout my wrestling journey."
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