BCC’s Niepagen, Washington’s Lenover win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

After leading their respective teams to state in 2025, Bloomington Central Catholic’s Kampbell Niepagen and Washington’s Truman Lenover are hungry for more and showed that with big games with the regular season winding down.

Both athletes won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week honors for the week of Oct. 5-11 as Niepagen had a string of strong performances, including at the highly-competitive BCC Saints Fall Classic while Lenover delivered in the final minutes of a key Mid-Illini Conference game.

Read more about our winners’ big performances and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Niepagen won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 56 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Saints senior outside hitter had a busy week racking up kills with 104 kills across eight games, 71 of which came at the BCC Saints Fall Classic on Oct. 10-11. Niepagen’s two biggest performances of the week came at the tournament as she had 20 kills and 14 digs in a win over Metamora and 19 kills, 10 digs and four aces in a loss to Tri-Valley. Her week also included a total of 59 digs, 13 aces and six blocks as she helped the Saints beat El Paso-Gridley, Champaign St. Thomas More, Rantoul, Lincoln, Metamora, Herscher and St. Joseph-Ogden. Through 33 matches, Niepagen, who is committed to Auburn, has 437 kills, 281 digs, 47 aces, 37 blocks and 12 assists.

Get to know Niepagen in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“My favorite memory of my high school career was playing in the state championship the last two years!”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“If I was stranded on an island with someone, I would pick my teammate Sophie [Rogucki]! She is the funniest person I know and we would definitely find a way to survive!

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Justin Timberlake.”

Favorite food?

“Favorite food is Noodles.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame ritual is putting my hair in a slick back with my TIYs.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“One thing on my bucket list right now is going to Europe.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My biggest role models are my parents. They are always pushing me to be the best version of myself and remind me to keep working for my goals.”

Lenover won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 51 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Washington soccer senior pulled through in a big moment on Oct. 5 in the Panthers’ game against Dunlap, scoring a goal in the final minutes to help his team earn a draw and remain undefeated in conference play. Lenover was also a heavy presence in a 7-0 win over Galesburg on Oct. 8 with two goals and two assists. He finished the regular season with eight goals and four assists, helping Washington enter the postseason with a 17-1-2 record.

Get to know Lenover in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of your high school career so far? 

“My favorite high school memory was winning the super-sectional last season to send us to state. Everyone was overcome with excitement and seeing the team get so far was amazing.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“I would say Will Jeagle would be the best person to be on an island with for sure, he’s got some good survival instincts.”

Favorite music artist?

“I don’t have a favorite artist but I love almost all 80s music.”

Favorite food?

“No matter what time of year it is, I will always love Mexican food. Everything about it is amazing.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I will always pray before games and take a second to appreciate where I am at.”

What’s one thing that’s on your bucket list?

“I would love to go cage diving with great whites.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My parents have always been my role models, they’ve taught me so much and built me into the person I am today.”