Normal Community’s Swartz, Tri-Valley’s Fesler win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

A pair of Twin Cities-area diamond standouts, Normal Community’s Gavin Swartz and Tri-Valley’s Paige Fesler, took home the latest CSM Spring Athletes of the Week after several big performances to lead their teams to wins.

Swartz showcased his two-way prowess in five wins for Ironmen baseball, helping the team remain on top of the Big 12 standings while Fesler’s powerful hitting led to a walk-off win that gave Tri-Valley a share of the conference title, as well as three other conference victories. 

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

Swartz won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 39 percent of the votes in the boys poll. He shined a variety of ways for Normal Community and pitched a complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over Moline. In the second game of the doubleheader against the Maroons on May 3, Swartz slugged a home run. Throughout the week, the Indiana commit went 7-for-17 at the plate, led by a showing against Richwoods on April 30 where he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, plus going 2-for-2 with a double in an 11-1 win over Urbana on May 2. 

Get to know Swartz in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“My favorite memory of the season was going to Gulf Shores over spring break, and just building chemistry and having quality time with the team outside of baseball.”

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, I would bring Andrew Naour because even though we might not make it out of the island we will definitely still have a good time.”

Favorite music artist?

“I’m not the biggest music guy but if I had to choose one it would be Tyler Childers.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is definitely a big medium rare steak.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“On days I pitch, I’ll have headphones on for most of the day listening to country or meditation stuff to calm my head, I’ll get to the field an hour and 45 minutes early, walk around the field and than stretch for a long time, and than write “kill” on my wrist with a sharpie. Also I drink a Ghost Merica Pop energy drink before every start.”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“My favorite professional athlete is Jack Flaherty, I’ve always been a big fan.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“I do not have any hidden talents.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“I would say my role model is my oldest brother Jake, he pitches at the University of Illinois and I got to see him grow up as a well known pitcher in the state, I got to see what it takes to succeed and be a great player, and being able to learn from that and use that to my advantage so I would know how to go about things in my career has helped me tremendously as a player and person.”

Fesler won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 57 percent of the votes in the girls poll. Her big hitting performances helped Tri-Valley win four closely-contested Heart of Illinois Conference games, including a 9-8 extra-inning victory over Dee-Mack where Fesler hit a walk-off home run in the eighth inning to secure a share of the HOIC title. The Vikings outfielder slugged a whopping five home runs during the week where she went 12-for-25 at the plate with 10 RBIs and two doubles. Fesler had a pair of homers and three RBIs both in the win over Dee-Mack on May 2, as well as a 6-4 win over Eureka on April 29. She added four hits and two RBIs in a 15-13 comeback win over Lexington/Ridgeview on April 28 and had a homer in an 8-5 victory against Heyworth on April 30. 

Get to know Fesler in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“Hitting a walk off homerun against Dee-Mack to win the conference title with my team!”

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

“My sister Elle because she is the funniest person and never fails to make me smile! Our chances of actually surviving are slim but we would make the best out of the situation.”

Favorite music artist?

“Chris Stapleton- I saw him in concert last year and he was amazing!”

Favorite food?

“My everyday proats! (oatmeal, choco protein powder, banana and peanut butter)”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I listen to Kendrick Lamar to get locked in and pumped up!”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“Simone Biles because she is one of the most dedicated and hardworking athletes I have ever seen.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“No.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My dad because he is my biggest supporter and has always pushed me to become the very best version of myself.”