A pair of area wrestlers won more than just a tournament title recently as Canton’s Connor Williams and Dunlap’s Olivia Curtis became the first CSM Winter Athletes of the Week for the 2024-25 season.
Both wrestlers earned the honor after receiving the most votes in their respective polls. Williams has started the season on a tear with two titles and Curtis made an immediate impact as a freshman for Dunlap at the inaugural Princeton Invitational.
Read more about both of our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:
Williams won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 55 percent of the total votes in the boys poll. The Canton senior won the 285-pound title at the Seneca Irish Invitational to stay unbeaten on the year. Williams took down Clifton Central’s Josh McCurry via fall in the quarterfinals, then beat Beardstown’s Chunk Dailey by fall in 3:18. In the championship match, he toppled Wheaton Academy’s Hezekiah Garcia via fall in 4:19. Williams contributed 28 total points to the Little Giants’ total, helping them finish in second place as a team. The Canton star has since followed it up with a title at Petersburg PORTA’s Rex Avery Invite on Dec. 14.
Get to know Williams in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory of the off-season was winning my first match at Fargo, [it was an] unbelievable experience.”
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 a teammate, it would be my buddy Daniel Kees. Him and I have been friends since elementary [school] and he somehow finds a way to fix anything.”
Favorite music artist?
“Blink-182 or Foo Fighters.”
Favorite food?
“Waffle fries and ranch.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“I put my headgear on and just try to get in the zone, works all the time.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“My favorite college athlete is Gable Steveson or Tony Cassioppi.”
Do you have any hidden talents?
“I can weld like a tradesman.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my grandpa, he always helps anyone in need, he knows how to fix almost anything. He's the toughest man I know.”
Curtis won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 47 percent of the total votes in the girls athlete of the week poll. The Eagles freshman kicked off her high school career in style by winning the 140-pound title at the first-ever Princeton Girls Invitational. Curtis defeated Geneseo’s Rachel Roodhouse and Brooke Schollenderger in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively with pins. Those victories earned her a spot in the championship, where she beat Freeport’s Vanesa Penaloza in a 19-3 technical fall. Curtis’ effort was a key component in the Eagles finishing 14th out of 27 teams at the event.
Get to know Curtis in a Q and A here:
What’s been your favorite memory of the season/offseason so far?
“My favorite memory of the season is when we went to the girls’ tournament in Princeton. It was a new experience for me and it was fun being at an all girls tournament.”
If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
“I would choose Aty because we would entertain each other and she is a good practice partner. We could wrestle animals for food.”
Favorite music artist?
“Zach Bryan.”
Favorite food?
“Tacos with lots of toppings: steak, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and hot sauce.”
Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
“Yes, I like to listen to music when I’m about to wrestle to get me hyped.”
Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
“Sarah Hilderbrandt, it was cool to see her win gold this summer for wrestling.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“My role model is my mom because she has helped me to get where I am today.”
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