Ten high school athletes from around the area stood out above the rest and are nominees for CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Dominos.
This week’s nominees include three of the top cross country runners in the area, champions on the golf course, end zone magnets in football and more.
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Check out all of our nominees and information on their big performances last week, vote for who you think should win, and spread the word before voting closes on Thursday at 11:59 PM!
Girls Athlete of the Week nominees
Abby Tudeen, Dunlap girls cross country
Tudeen won the Mid-Illini Pre-Conference Meet on Sept. 17 by over 12 seconds with a time of 19:19.20. Her finish helped the Eagles take second place at the meet and marked her third top-four finish of the season.
Anja Ruxlow, Morton girls golf
Ruxlow continued a strong season by taking home the championship at the Pontiac Invite on Sept. 16 with a round of 84. Her round, which included a birdie and six pars was a big key in the Potters winning the event with a 351 total, 13 strokes clear of runner-up Joliet Central.
Anjallyah Adams, Richwoods girls flag football
Adams has been one of multiple key players on the Knights’ flag football team, which is off to a 4-2 start. In a 30-12 win over Manual on Sept. 21, Adams racked up 58 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns from quarterback Brooklyn Groves-Watson.
Alayna Keefer, Farmington volleyball
Keefer was a big part in Farmington placing third in a tournament at ROWVA/Williamsfield on Sept. 21. Keefer posted a team-high eight kills plus three aces and six assists in the Farmers’ win in the third-place game over Annawan, along with 10 digs in a win over Stark County and 10 assists in a loss to ROWVA/Williamsfield.
Emma Swartzendruber, Olympia girls cross country
The Olympia senior ran to a pair of top-5 finishes last week, capped off by a runner-up finish at the Dunlap Invitational on Sept. 21 with a time of 18:17.60, just three seconds short of her personal best. Four days earlier, she finished fourth at the Athens Quad with a time of 21:41.12.
Vote here!
CSM Girls Athlete of the Week Poll
Abby Tudeen, Dunlap girls cross country
Anja Ruxlow, Morton girls golf
Anjallyah Adams, Richwoods girls flag football
Alayna Keefer, Farmington volleyball
Boys Athlete of the Week nominees
Dalton Oakman, East Peoria football
Trailing late on the road against Canton, Oakman calmly led the Raiders on a 75-yard scoring drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Aidin Hindert, which helped put East Peoria up 33-30, a lead they’d hang on to for the rest of the game. Oakman finished the game with 358 yards, five touchdowns and completed 21 of his 35 passes.
Ben Meyer, Bloomington Central Catholic boys soccer
Meyer played a big role in Bloomington Central Catholic picking up three wins last week, two of which were in Illini Prairie Conference play. He scored a goal in wins over Tolono Unity on Sept. 17 and helped make the difference with goals in 2-1 wins over IVC on Sept. 19 and Decatur St. Teresa on Sept. 21.
Dawson Freeman, Normal U-High boys golf
The freshman Freeman had a big week for the Pioneers, shooting a 73 to tie for the title at the Intercity tournament on Sept. 17 alongside teammate Brody Allen. During the weekend, he was the lowest-scoring golfer for Normal U-High at the 36-hole Pekin Dragon Classic with a two-day total of 148, which helped the Pioneers finish second in the 30-team field.
Boston Beyer, Morton boys cross country
Beyer was the top finisher at the Mid-Illini Pre-Conference Meet on Sept. 17 and helped Morton win the meet along with four other top-10 finishers. The senior Potter’s time of 15:30.70 was a personal-best.
Stephen Petri, Metamora football
Petri got it done with his arm and his legs in Friday’s 40-37 win over Morton, totaling four touchdowns on the night. Two of them came on the ground, where he rushed for 96 yards and two more came through the air,both to Eden Cote. Petri completed 11 of 19 passes for 264 yards.
Vote here!
CSM Boys Athlete of the Week Poll
Dalton Oakman, East Peoria football
Ben Meyer, BCC boys soccer
Dawson Freeman, Normal U-High boys golf
Boston Beyer, Morton boys cross country