Dunlap’s Yeh, PND’s Mickels win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

Dunlap’s Samantha Yeh and Peoria Notre Dame’s Thomas Mickels came through in the big moments and won CSM Spring Athletes of the Week after big postseason performances.

Yeh won the Class 3A state title in high jump at the IHSA girls track and field state meet on May 24, becoming the first Dunlap athlete to win a state championship in that event. Mickels had a powerful bat and a big arm that led PND to winning the Class 2A Fieldcrest Regional title, with two victories coming against area powers.

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

Yeh won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 40 percent of the votes in the girls poll. Her path to the state title began by placing second in the prelims by clearing 5 feet, 4.25 inches. In the finals, the Eagles junior shattered her season best mark by over two inches, clearing 5 feet, 8.75 inches on her first attempt. During the season, Yeh won the Mid-Illini Conference and the Class 3A Rock Island Sectional in the high jump as well.

Get to know Yeh in a Q and A here: 

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“My favorite memory from this season was winning state. The feeling after I cleared the bar was unmatched.”

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

“If I had to be stranded on an island with a teammate I would choose my sister Sabrina because she’s smart and I love her.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist right now is Clairo.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is salmon.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“My pregame ritual is to listen to all the same songs and eat gummy worms.”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“My favorite professional athlete is Tara Davis.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“My hidden talent is that I can throw a football really well.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my mom because she’s the strongest and most caring person I know.”

Mickels won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 69 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Irish senior was a two-way threat for the Irish in a competitive Class 2A Fieldcrest Regional, starting with a two-RBI performance in a 8-4 win over El Paso-Gridley in the regional quarterfinals. He made a big difference in a 7-3 win over Brimfield/Elmwood, the top seed in the regional, by hitting a home run, two doubles and driving in four runs. Mickels pitched 3.2 shutout innings with four strikeouts to help PND hold the advantage in a 1-0 win over Farmington in the regional title game. 

Get to know Mickels in a Q and A here: 

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“My favorite memory was hitting the 3-run home run against Brimfield in the first inning of that regional game. Everyone’s energy really elevated after that and it is something I’ll never forget.”

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

“I would be stranded with Lawson Alwan. Him and I have good chemistry and we are both hard workers. We’d learn to survive.”

Favorite music artist?

“Jon Pardi.”

Favorite food?

“Pizza.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I always pray. Then I listen to rock music or hype country music.”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“Mike Trout.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“I’m really good at ping pong.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My parents are my role models. I look up to them because they are both hard workers and respectful people. They are great parents and teach me a lot about life and sports too.”