Brimfield’s Nelson, Washington’s Wettstein win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

Brimfield’s Anja Nelson and Washington’s Oliver Wettstein led their teams to hoisting up postseason plaques and also added a CSM Fall Athlete of the Week honor to their respective mantles. 

Nelson was a machine for Brimfield volleyball in its regional, leading the team to three postseason victories and a regional plaque. Wettstein’s goal-stopping efforts led Washington boys soccer to its first sectional championship and state berth in school history. 

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

Nelson won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 52 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Indians’ junior helped her team to winning the Class 1A Biggsville West Central Regional with a pair of double-double performances. Nelson chalked up 15 digs, 14 kills, three assists and two aces in a three-set regional quarterfinal win over Biggsville West Central before tallying 11 digs and seven kills in Brimfield’s regional semifinal win over Knoxville. She put up 12 kills and 11 digs in the regional title match against North Fulton to round out her week and give Brimfield its second straight regional title. Nelson ended her season with yet another double-double of 13 kills and 13 digs in a three-set loss to Orion on Nov. 4. 

Get to know Nelson in a Q and A here:

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

“Probably winning the ICAC tournament this year. I had a lot of fun throughout that tournament. I felt like our ball control was on point and we beat Illini Bluffs. They had a really great team this year and were undefeated up to that point, so it felt like we did something really special.”

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

“I’d choose my best friend, Edith [Barnewolt]. I’m not saying we will get off the island, but we would have a great time!”

Favorite music artist?

“Lana del Ray.”

Favorite food?

“A cheeseburger with a side of sweet potato fries, a lemonade and ice cream for dessert.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I really get locked in listening to music while doing pregame stretches. When we start our 6 [minutes] on-court warm ups, I always have to start in the same line. Before the game actually starts, I have to do my handshake with my setter, Jovie [Chastain].”

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

“I really want to learn how to drive a manual transmission race car. I grew up watching Formula 1 and action movies that always have a great chase scene. Even as a kid, I was always like,’I want to learn how to do that!’”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My volleyball role model is Lexi Rodriguez (Nebraska 4-year starting libero who graduated last year). We play the same position and she is so dynamic and fun to watch. She gets a touch on everything, seems like a really great teammate and would always take the time to come out after the game to talk to the fans.”

Wettstein won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 52 percent of the votes in the boys poll. Washington’s freshman goalkeeper, along with the Panthers’ defense, helped the team shut out its first five postseason opponents. Wettstein made several stops in Washington’s 4-0 win over Urbana in the Class 2A Washington Sectional semifinals and in its 2-0 win over Normal West. The sectional championship was Washington’s first in program history. Recently, Wettstein put on a sparkling performance in the Panthers’ 2-0 super-sectional win over Belleville Althoff with multiple big saves and helped Washington finish as the Class 2A state runner-up. He finished his season with 22 shutouts.

Get to know Wettstein in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite high school memory has got to be the super-sectional championship game, I think I preformed the best I could.”

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, the one person I would want to be with would be my striker, Hudson Scrivner because me and him have came such a long way together within the last 4 months we have been with each other and I think we have came so close to each other.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is King Kruel because of his smooth voice and rhythm.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is either pizza or chicken wings.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame ritual is eating a Twinkie or a small bag or Skittles before the game.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is making it pro.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is a hard choice, I think if someone said they had one person to look up to, they would be lying. My role models would probably be my mom, dad, brother, and honestly a couple of my friends. They all remind me that no matter what mental state I’m in, there is always someone who is willing to make a sacrifice for my success or cheer me on.”