East Peoria’s Del Toro, Bloomington’s Swank win CSM Winter Athletes of the Week

Two of Central Illinois’ most skilled wrestlers went into the new year with a big victory and took home Clutch Sports Media Winter Athlete of the Week honors.

East Peoria’s Alex Del Toro and Alicia Swank outperformed their opponents on the mats and their fellow nominees in the polls. Del Toro added on to a great season by winning his bracket in one of the largest holiday tournaments in Central Illinois while Swank competed in two tournaments in the span of a few days, winning one and finishing second in another.

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

Del Toro won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 41 percent of the votes in the boys poll. He took home the title in the 215-pound bracket in Lincoln’s Floyd Bee Memorial Tournament and dominated all the way through, winning all four of his matches by pin. He took down Rock Island’s Julyan Mayares and Pekin’s Bradyn Haynes before coming back to pin Rochelle’s Connor Broughton in the semifinals. He won the title by pinning Rock Island’s Rowan Stockwell in the championship match to help the Raiders secure a tie for ninth place at the 33-team event. He recently won another title at the Bob and Liz Schnarr Invitational on Jan. 10, as well as the Joe Bee Memorial in Springfield on Dec. 20.

Get to know Del Toro 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 so far had to have been when I kept my promise and made it to state with my brother for his senior year and then my little brother made it to freshman/sophomore state as well so my family had three state qualifiers in one year.”

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

“My little brother [Gabe Del Toro] for sure. We both have hunted and fished our whole lives.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite artist is Marty Robbins.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is steak and mashed potatoes.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I pray that even if I win or lose that me and my opponent are both safe.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to raise a family on a 50-acre farm.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My dad is my role model for sure because no matter what adversity hits him, he always keeps his game face on and keeps grinding and pushing through. He is the reason I am the man I am today. I am forever blessed to have him in my life.”

Swank won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 37 percent of the votes in the girls poll. She won Oswego East’s Break the Silence Tournament on Jan. 3 by going 4-0 in the 155-pound bracket, pinning Oswego East’s Gianna Edwards and beating Homewood-Flossmoor’s Olivia Haywood by tech fall in the first two rounds. Swank advanced to the championship bout with a 3-1 decision over Plainfield East’s Kaitlyn Bucholz and pinned Oswego East’s Julia Robb in the title match. She also placed second at the Ottawa Holiday Hooteananny on Dec. 30, going 2-1. Swank’s season has also included winning the Joe Bee Memorial and placing third at The Munch Invitational in Pontiac.

Get to know Swank in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory has to be beating Tolono Unity’s [Anna] Vasey for the Regional championship title last year after losing to her at other points in the season.”

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

“Probably David Williams, I have known him for years and I feel like we could come together to figure something out.”

Favorite music artist?

“Tyler Childers and Fleetwood Mac.”

Favorite food?

“Baked mac and cheese.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I usually run stairs a bit before a match or hand fight with Coach Shawn.”

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

“Probably to visit Scotland.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My parents, they have inspired me to do my best and to continue on with everything I have, no matter what happens.”