Dee-Mack’s Whitson, Normal U-High’s Maubach win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

A new pair of CSM Fall Athletes of the Week have been crowned after leading their respective teams to multiple victories with big performances.

Dee-Mack’s Katie Whitson and Normal U-High’s Jaxen Maubach won the honor for the week of Sept. 8-14 with Whitson keying four victories on the volleyball court for the Chiefs and Maubach helping lead Normal U-High’s attack in a week that featured three wins.

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

Whitson won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 66 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Chiefs’ setter helped coordinate a pair of Heart of Illinois Conference victories as she had 22 assists and five digs in a 25-13, 25-23 win over Tremont in the Route 9 Rivalry game on Sept. 11. Whitson added eight assists and seven digs in a 25-23, 25-21 win over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Sept. 9. She was instrumental in Dee-Mack’s trip to the Lincoln Invitational, where the Chiefs went 2-3 by putting up 50 assists, 14 aces, 14 digs, four kills and two blocks over the course of five games, including against powers such as Normal West and Limestone. 

Get to know Whitson in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite part of my high school career is watching our team grow since freshman year.”

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

“I would be stranded with Rease [Kelley] because she is my pepper partner. Volleyball girls get it.”

Favorite music artist?

“Favorite music artist is probably Sabrina Carpenter.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is Chipotle.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame routine is to settle down and listen to music and just have some time to myself before a game.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to be successful at Monmouth College when I go there next year to play volleyball.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is Jesus because I look to him in everything I do, including sports.”

Maubach won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 39 percent of the votes in the boys poll. He led Normal U-High to three victories and a draw between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13 and notched three goals and an assist in a 7-0 win over Bloomington Cornerstone on Sept. 12. The sophomore forward added a goal and an assist in a 6-1 triumph over Champaign Centennial the next day. Earlier in the week, his goal against Springfield helped the Pioneers earn a 2-2 draw in Central State Eight Conference play on Sept. 9. 

Get to know Maubach 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 definitely winning state my freshman 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 with a teammate I would want it to be Reed [Kawakita], because he is most definitely the smartest on the team.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Drake.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is steak.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame routines are listening to music and eating a good meal.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to visit Italy.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my dad because with him being my coach for many years I’ve always got to look up to him.”