Metamora’s Born, BCC’s Bradbury win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

Metamora and Bloomington Central Catholic boasted the latest CSM Fall Athletes of the Week as Redbirds cross country runner Zach Born and Saints golfer Maddie Bradbury earned the most votes in their respective polls.

Born continued a strong fall season at the highly-competitive Peoria High Invitational while Bradbury’s postseason performance lifted her to a regional title and, eventually, a state berth. Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Born won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 38 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Metamora junior cracked 15 minutes for the first time this season at the Peoria High Invitational at Detweiller Park on Oct. 4, running a season-best time of 14:59.6. Born’s performance gave him fourth place in the Class 1A/2A race, highest among all area runners in the crowded field and helping the Redbirds finish ninth out of 37 teams. Born has finished in the top four in six out of his eight races this fall, including runner-up finishes at the Irish Earlybird Meet, the Mid-Illini Pre-Conference Meet and the Dunlap Invitational. 

Get to know Born in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory so far is last track season’s 4x800 relay, where we placed 5th at state. I also placed 5th in my open 800 [meters], which made the last season memorable.”

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

“I’d choose Drew Hodel, because he’s smart and funny and would come up with some random but smart way to get us off the island.”

Favorite music artist?

“Kanye West.”

Favorite food?

“I love watermelon.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Before meets, I usually pray and play mini hoop in my basement to prepare my thoughts.”

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

“Travel the world.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role models are my parents and coaches because they’ve set great examples for me, both as a person and as an athlete.”

Bradbury won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 47 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Saints’ senior won the Class 1A Peru St. Bede Regional at Spring Creek Golf Course with an 83, beating out Tri-Valley’s Elle Filarski by one stroke. Bradbury used a two-over 37 on the front nine to boost herself to victory. Bradbury went on to finish seventh at the Class 1A Pontiac Sectional after carding an 85 and was one of two BCC golfers to advance to the Class 1A state finals. Bradbury tied for 56th at state with a two-round total of 178 at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur.

Get to know Bradbury in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory was at the practice round for state my sophomore year. It started pouring on us. We were all soaking wet and freezing so we went to Panera and ate it on the bus ride back to school.”

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 with a teammate, it would be Haley Chapman because she would do anything to make sure we had a good time.”

Favorite music artist?

“Jon Pardi.”

Favorite food?

“Chicken alfredo.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I don’t have any pregame rituals but I am a very superstitious person and I have to put on shoes and hair up right before we pull into the golf course.”

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

“I want to travel the world and play at as many different golf courses as I can.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My mom because she has the biggest heart for everyone and does everything she can to help people out.”