A pair of Mid-Illini basketball standouts led their respective teams in key stretches of the season and added another accolade to their shelves by winning last week’s Torq Fitness Athletes of the Week.
Pekin’s Allie Lambe and Morton’s Tripp Rugaard took home the honors after Lambe led her team to its first regional championship in over 40 years and Rugaard came up big in three Potters’ wins to close the regular season,
Read more about our winners’ standout performances and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Lambe won Torq Fitness Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 32 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Dragons’ senior led Pekin girls basketball to its second regional title in program history and first in 45 years. She scored 11 points in a 45-31 win over Normal West in the Class 4A Normal West Regional semifinals on Feb. 18, then added a team-high 17 points as the Dragons toppled Minooka 49-44 for the championship on Feb. 20. Lambe later helped Pekin to its first sectional championship appearance in school history with a 47-39 victory over Normal Community before the Dragons fell to Alton in the Class 4A Alton Sectional title game.
Get to know Lambe in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
“My favorite memory was winning regionals for the 2nd time in PCHS history.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“Probably Leah Brown or Kylea Seidell because they like to hunt, so they could hunt food for us!”
Favorite music artist?
“Megan Moroney.”
Favorite food?
“Macaroni and Cheese.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“I always eat macaroni and cheese before every game!”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“No.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my dad because he is always willing to stop what he is doing and go practice with me. Whenever something happens or goes wrong, no matter what it is, he always tells me we will find a way to fix it or make it better, and he has never been wrong.”
Rugaard won Torq Fitness Boys Athlete of the Week after garnering 37 percent of the votes in the boys poll. Rugaard was a big factor in Morton’s 3-game stretch to close the regular season, pouring in 17 points to help the Potters beat Washington 67-61 on Feb. 18. The next night, he sank several key buckets down the stretch in a tight 54-50 win over Streator and also helped his team to a 64-41 win over Normal U-High on Feb. 21.
Get to know Rugaard in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
“My favorite memory this season is winning the Pekin Holiday Tournament for the first time in 30 years.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“If I had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, I would choose Owen Adams because he seems like he has good survival skills.”
Favorite music artist?
“My favorite music artist is Dominic Fike.”
Favorite food?
“My favorite food is mac and cheese.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“My only pregame routine is stretching with my teammates.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“My favorite professional athlete is Kyrie Irving.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“My hidden talent is pickleball.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my dad.”
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