Dunlap’s Eccles, Morton’s Hays win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

A pair of Mid-Illini golfers won the latest CSM Fall Athletes of the Week honor after continuing their tradition of going low this season.

Dunlap’s Nolan Eccles and Morton’s Payton Hays both won key events and recently set records as well. Get to know more about our winners and their recent accomplishments and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Eccles won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 32 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Dunlap junior won the IVC Invite on Sept. 4 by shooting a three-under par 69, which propelled the Eagles to winning the event by six strokes. Eccles’ round featured four birdies and an eagle on the par-4 10th hole. Since then, Eccles placed in the top 10 at the Coyote Creek Invite on Sept. 8 and shot a course record 61 at Arrowhead Country Club with 11 birdies and seven pars. 

Get to know Eccles in a Q and A here: 

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

“I would say going to state this last year and getting to play against super good competition and have so many people come watch me.”

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

“I would say Nick Herget because we can always laugh over like the most random things and we would both turn it from a tragedy to a fun experience!”

Favorite music artist?

“I don’t really have a favorite, I listen to every type of music, and whatever my friends want to listen to.”

Favorite food?

“Cheeseburgers for sure. It’s been my favorite since I was 6 years old.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I try to make sure to always clean my clubs and get to the course exactly an hour before my tee time.”

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

“Play all of the TPC courses in America!”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my dad because he has always been there for me and when things get harder he never stops trying, and I try to be just like him everyday!”

Hays won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 41 percent of the votes in the girls poll. She helped Morton pick up Mid-Illini wins over Pekin and Limestone on Sept. 2 to shoot a medaling 41. Hays had four pars during the nine-hole round at Lick Creek Golf Course. Recently, she shot a personal-best 36 at Pine Lakes to help the Potters to a strong finish against Metamora and East Peoria on Sept. 9 and was part of a Morton squad that fired a program-record 321 at the Pontiac Invitational on Sept. 15. Hays tied for third at that tournament with a nine-over 81. 

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

"My favorite memory would be breaking a program record and shooting a 321 as a team at the Pontiac Invitational."

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

"Elizabeth Nieukirk because she's a funny, encouraging, positive person which would mean there would never be a dull moment."

Favorite music artist?

"One of my favorite artists is Drake. Whenever I need to get in the right headspace I'll always listen to his music."

Favorite food?

"Boneless wings from Buffalo Wild Wings."

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

"I always try to get to the course at a reasonable time to roll some putts and hit a couple chips before I tee off."

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

"To be able to go watch the Masters at Augusta National."

Who’s your role model and why?

"I would say my older brothers because they taught me how to play the game and have encouraged and supported me from a very young age."