El Paso-Gridley’s Adams, Tremont’s Parsons win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

A pair of Heart of Illinois Conference athletes were at the heart of their team’s postseason success and earned CSM Fall Athlete of the Week honors. 

El Paso-Gridley running back Aaden Adams and Tremont outside hitter Nora Parsons both led their teams to the deepest playoff runs in their respective teams’ histories as Adams scored several touchdowns in a second-round playoff win and Parsons routinely was at the top of the stat sheet for Tremont volleyball, who went on a magical run with a sectional title before eventually finishing fourth in the state in Class 1A.

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

Adams won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 41 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The El Paso-Gridley running back keyed a big second-round win over Sterling Newman, rushing for 118 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-0 win. Adams and the Titans continued their march with a 32-15 win over Farmington in the Class 2A quarterfinals and will take on Wilmington in the state semifinals on Saturday.

Get to know Adams in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory has been winning with the team.”

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

“It would have to be Jayvion Maxon because he is funny and I could stay with him.”

Favorite music artist?

“I like Kendrick Lamar.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is pizza or nachos.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“[During] pregame, I play catch with tennis balls to help me with my hand eye coordination.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list would be getting really sore after every game.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model would be Saquon Barkley because he is a really good running back and I’ve been watching him ever since he came into the league.”

Parsons won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 46 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Tremont outside hitter helped lead the Turks to their first-ever sectional title in team history, notching a team-high nine kills and two blocks in Tremont’s sectional title win over Orion and adding four kills, four blocks and four aces in their sectional semifinal. Recently, she headlined her team’s efforts again in its super-sectional victory with nine kills, five aces and two blocks, all team-highs. In Tremont’s two games at state, Parsons combined for 16 kills, six aces and six blocks as the Turks finished fourth and won a state trophy for the first time in program history.

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

“My favorite memory so far has been making it to state for the first time ever in Tremont history and the whole season overall. I got to make history while having fun with my best friends.”

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

“If I had to be stranded with one teammate, I would pick Emma Reynolds. We don’t have any survival skills but we would have a great time being stranded together!!”

Favorite music artist?

“Drake!”

Favorite food?

“I could live off Chipotle, Chinese food and lemonade for the rest of my life.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I like to get some pregame sugar before a game, like a Snickers or gummy candy. We also pray as a team before every game of course.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is going to Greece because the buildings and environment are so cute.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model for volleyball is Harper Murray. She is a very strong and talented volleyball player and plays my ideal position.”