BCC’s Slayback, Morton’s Greiner win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

The latest Clutch Sports Media Spring Athletes of the Week finished the regular season strong and kept their respective teams’ hot streaks alive en route to winning the honors for the Week of May 11-17.

Bloomington Central Catholic’s Gavin Slayback won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week with four strong performances that helped the Saints baseball team pick up several close wins. Morton’s Madison Greiner won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week with two clutch goals that helped the Potters’ girls soccer team keep momentum high before the playoffs started.

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

Slayback won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 59 percent of the votes in the boys poll. His efforts helped the Saints win six straight games last in the season, including four straight between May 11-May 14. He hit a go-ahead two-run double that ended up being the difference-maker in a 4-2 win over Eureka on May 11 and went 3-3 with an RBI and a double in a 6-3 upset win over Morton on May 12. He continued his RBI streak in a 4-0 win over Dwight on May 13 and hit another RBI double in a 10-3 win over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on May 14. The Saints’ left fielder has hit in the heart of the order for a BCC squad that is 10-3 since the start of May. 

Get to know Slayback in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite high school sports memory was tracking down a fly ball at the warning track that everyone thought was a no-doubt home run to tie the game. I made the catch and we doubled the runner off at 2nd to win the game!”

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

“I’d choose Conner Rave for survival, but Colin Eickhorst if I wanted to die laughing.”

Favorite music artist?

“Drake.”

Favorite food?

“Texas Roadhouse 12 oz. ribeye.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I drink a purple Monster before warmups. As I run out for infield/outfield, I yell, ‘love all y’all boys!’ My teammates yell it back.”

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

“I want to win conference in baseball and basketball.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My Dad is my role model. He taught me everything I know about hitting and having an approach at the plate. He has also shown me what it means to be a hard worker and a good person.”

Greiner won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 33 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Morton sophomore delivered two key goals, beginning with the first goal in a 3-0 victory over Washington on May 12 where the Potters clinched the Mid-Illini Conference title. She scored Morton’s lone goal in a 1-0 win over Mahomet-Seymour on May 14 that helped extend the Potters’ unbeaten streak. Greiner has posted 20 goals and 11 assists on the season while helping her team remain undefeated for 20 straight games.

Get to know Greiner 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 is when we all celebrate together as a team after someone scores, specifically after the Mahomet game. I just love our team chemistry this year.”

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, I would probably choose to be stranded with Morgan Smith. I grew up playing with her and she always stays calm during hard times but is also there to celebrate the highs.”

Favorite music artist?

“One of my favorite music artists is Ty Myers.”

Favorite food?

“Steak or pasta.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I always eat spaghetti the night before but that’s about it.”

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

“I want to travel out of the country, specifically the Bahamas or Cabo.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role models are my parents. My parents are always putting time into my soccer. I could count on my hand how many times my mom has missed a game of mine. My dad is always there for me after every game. I love them both so much and I'm so grateful to have parents that push me to be a better person everyday.”