After impressive showings in their respective polls, Morton football wide receiver/cornerback GB Kruzick and Normal West cross country's Julie Bach are our CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, presented by Jake Weston State Farm.
Kruzick won Boys Athlete of the Week with 61 percent of the vote total in the boys poll, while Bach won with 52 percent of the vote total in the girls poll. Our full list of nominees can be found here.
Below is more information on each of our winners, as well as a Q and A with each athlete.
Kruzick epitomized being a two-way player for the Potters football team as they stayed undefeated with a 10-6 win over state-ranked Dunlap. The senior, who plays wide receiver and cornerback, caught Morton's only touchdown of the game from quarterback Jude Hart in the second quarter to put the Hogs up 10-0, then as Dunlap was driving down the field looking for the go-ahead touchdown in the final stages of the game, batted away an Eagles pass as they were on the doorstep of the end zone. He also recorded an interception in the game earlier. Kruzick currently has 15 catches for 264 yards and six touchdowns, along with 20 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions on the year.
Get to know Kruzick in a Q and A here:
Q. What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
A. My favorite memory from the season was the celebration in the locker room after beating Rochelle.
Q. If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
A. Zayne Raeuber because he is the funniest person on the team, in my opinion.
Q. Favorite music artist?
A. Frank Ocean
Q. Favorite food?
A. Chipotle
Q. Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
A. One pregame ritual I do is cold and hot tubs
Q. Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
A. George Pickens, a wide receiver on the Pittsburg Steelers
Q. Who’s your role model and why?
A. My father, because he is a great human and very genuine
Q. Do you have any hidden talents?
A. I can tumble, like do backflips and such
Q. What’s your dream career?
A. My dream career is to be an architect in an urban environment
Bach won the Big 12 Conference girls cross country championship at Detweiller Park last Saturday for Normal West with a time of 18:09.30, a mark that was 23 seconds ahead of runner-up Farah Scott of Champaign Centennial. Her winning effort was crucial for the Wildcats in defeating Peoria Notre Dame 66-72, and others, for the team title as well. The win was Bach's first of the season, but her fifth top-10 finish. Among those, the sophomore took fourth at the Intercity Meet on Sept. 19 and finished seventh at the Peoria High Invitational at Detweiller Park on Sept. 30 with a time of 18:34.4.
Get to know Bach in a Q and A here:
Q. What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?
A. Our girls team winning the Big 12 Conference was definitely one of my favorite memories. I was just so happy for each and every one of my teammates.
Q. If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?
A. I would want to be stranded with my best friend Renee Warren. We'd probably end up dead, but at least I'd get a good laugh in.
Q. Favorite music artist?
A. Billy Joel
Q. Favorite food?
A. Pasta
Q. Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?
A. I have a banana 2 hours before my race, our girls team will blast some fun music on the bus rides to our meets, and I write "West Side, Best Side" on my hands in sharpie before I run my race.
Q. Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?
A. I honestly don't have one.
Q. Who’s your role model and why?
A. All of the coaches on my cross country team, Coach Aubin, Coach Starkey, Coach Strong and Coach Basting. They help me grow not only as a runner, but as a person as well.
Q. Do you have any hidden talents?
A. I know all the lyrics to "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot
Q. What’s your dream career?
A. As of right now, I don't know what career I want to pursue. However, I am interested in something to do with nutrition and coaching.
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