Eureka’s Payne, Dunlap’s Schmick win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial

Eureka setter Ellie Payne and Dunlap running back Jayden Schmick both closed out their respective regular seasons in style and won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial for their efforts.

Payne led the Hornets’ volleyball team to winning the highly-competitive Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament, extending the team’s win streak into the playoffs. Schmick came through with touchdowns n multiple huge moments for the Eagles’ football team in their Week 9 overtime win over Metamora.

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

Payne won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 40 percent of the votes in the girls poll. Her efforts helped give Eureka the coveted Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament title as she had 69 assists and 16 digs over the course of three games between Oct. 21-25. The Hornets’ setter put up 20-plus assists in each of Eureka’s three wins, including 26 in a win over Lexington in the tournament quarterfinals. She did more than just set up her teammates though in the championship match against Tri-Valley, tallying six digs and four kills in a 2-0 win. More recently, Payne keyed a Class 2A regional title for Eureka with 18 assists and seven digs in a 2-0 win over Monmouth-Roseville on Oct. 28 and 15 assists, three kills and two aces in a two-set win over El Paso-Gridley on Oct. 30. 

Get to know Payne in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory is dancing in the locker room with the seniors and Krissa.”

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

“I think I would be stranded with Krissa Agnew, our libero, because she is very funny and entertaining. I feel that she would have me laughing for hours.”

Favorite music artist?

“Bruno Mars.”

Favorite food?

“Emily Sauder’s pumpkin muffins or Oreo balls.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I always listen to upbeat music and our team walks in the hallways and sings together.”

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

“Travel to Bora Bora.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is a teacher at our school, Mrs. G. She always looks on the positive side of things and even when things get hard, she is there for all of us. I aspire to be like her one day!”

Schmick won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 60 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Dunlap junior running back helped the Eagles bounce back from two straight losses with a key 30-23 win in overtime to end the regular season against Metamora on Oct. 24. Schmick had 14 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-tying touchdown with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the game-winner in overtime. Schmick continued his hot streak with 99 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Dunlap’s 49-21 win over Pekin in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs on Oct. 31. 

Get to know Schmick in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite high school memories come from playing football and starting on offense this year and being able to experience these things with my friends and community.”

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

“If I were stranded on an island with one teammate, I would want to be stranded with my boy Colton Mosack. Me and him have known each other on and off the field for years and our relationship is amazing.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is NBA Youngboy, but Rod Wave is very close.”

Favorite food?

“I love to enjoy a good medium rare steak, especially after a good win.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Before my game, I just throw on my headphones, and get locked in. I’ll start off playing Rod Wave to calm myself down while I stretch, and meditate, and then when game time is really close, I throw on Youngboy to get hype.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to go [Division 1], it’s been a lifelong goal of mine.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“I would say my role model is my dad, he’s shown me what a good man is, and what it looks like to be one, and he’s encouraged me, rooted me on, and wants me to become the best athlete and man I can be.”