East Peoria’s Duncheon, Dunlap’s Tyra win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

A pair of Mid-Illini athletes swept the most recent Clutch Sports Media Spring Athletes of the Week honors after putting up a string of great performances for their respective conference title-contending teams.

East Peoria’s Addison Duncheon led the Raiders softball team to four shutout wins with multiple dominant outings in the batter’s box and in the circle while Dunlap’s Truman Tyra delivered in several big moments for the Eagles baseball team to help keep their lengthy win streak alive.

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

Duncheon won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 51 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The East Peoria sophomore led the Raiders to four wins with several strong hitting and pitching performances. She went 3-3 with two triples and five RBIs in a 17-0 win over Bloomington on April 6 while also throwing three shutout innings. Duncheon went 3-4 with two RBIs, plus a seven-strikeout shutout in a 10-0 win over Limestone on April 7 and threw another shutout with 12 strikeouts with three RBIs at the plate in a 7-0 win over Canton on April 9. She also added RBIs in a 4-0 win over Normal U-High and a 9-6 loss to Huntley at Metamora’s Margie Wright Showcase. 

Get to know Duncheon in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite high school memory was when we were riding back from our conference game against Washington, all having a good time singing and eating ice cream on the bus.”

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, I would want to be with Gracie Ahrens. She would make things fun, but also get things done. We compliment each other like that.”

Favorite music artist?

“I don’t have a favorite artist, but more of a chill genre.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is probably my lasagna I home make!”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I do have a routine for pregame! I start my warm up before most teammates just so I don’t get rushed. And I normally don’t eat before games too.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to go zip lining, and to go to the northern lights with my mom.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model’s are my parents. They have taught me resilience, gratitude for the things I have, and to always work hard because things are never handed to you. Hard work you do gets you farther in life than taking the short road. I love them for everything they have done for my brother and I.”

Tyra won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 47 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Eagles senior came up in the clutch multiple times to help Dunlap extend its winning streak with four wins. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in a 5-3 win over Pekin on April 6, hitting a go-ahead RBI double. He added another RBI double to give Dunlap the lead late in a 3-1 win over the Dragons again on April 8. Tyra racked up three hits and two RBIs in a 7-1 victory over Ottawa on April 9 and threw a scoreless inning, a feat that he repeated by striking out the side to earn the save in a 7-4 win over Normal West on April 11.

Get to know Tyra in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory is definitely during football season when we won our second round game at Crete-Monee to advance to the quarterfinals. No one gave us much of a chance in that game but we pulled out the win and brought home a plaque. But I also think my favorite memory is yet to be made.”

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

“I’d say Landon Gray. I’ve known him forever and we have great chemistry so we’d be able to work together and make it work.”

Favorite music artist?

“NBA Youngboy.”

Favorite food?

“Filet mignon.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Honestly nothing special for baseball season. But in football, I’d always go out to the field a while before the games and throw without shoes or socks on (laughing). I don’t know why, I just liked the feeling and it got me locked in.”

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

“I’d say winning the conference is the top thing on my bucket list at the moment.”