Normal U-High’s Ocheltree, Normal West’s Sennett win CSM Fall Athletes of the Week

A pair of athletes from Normal won the latest CSM Fall Athletes of the Week award, helping their teams to some of their biggest wins of the season as September came to an end. 

Normal U-High golfer Natalie Ocheltree added on to a fantastic senior season by winning a pair of tournaments, including the Central State Eight Conference title while also headlining her team winning both events as well. Normal West quarterback Chase Sennett led his team to a key win on the road against state-ranked Peoria High in Week 5, coming off the bench to throw a handful of touchdowns.

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

Ocheltree won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 55 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Pioneers senior won the Central State Eight Conference title by shooting a 70 at Weibring Golf Course and led Normal U-High to winning the team title by 49 strokes. She also tied for first at the Pekin Dragon Classic on Sept. 27 at Lick Creek Golf Course, shooting a 71 and leading the Pioneers to a 21-stroke victory. Recently, Ocheltree finished second at the Class 2A Washington Regional at Metamora Fields, carding a 73 and led her team to a state berth at the Class 2A Pekin Sectional, pacing the Pioneers with a 74. 

Get to know Ocheltree in a Q and A here: 

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

“I think it was the Quincy tournament when we went bowling before we played. That tournament went terribly but that doesn't matter because you golf for the team, you golf for the team-bonding and we had fun bowling.”

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

“I want to say Audrey, because I had to do two playoffs this year and I was nervous out of my mind both times. She was the girl that came to me and said ‘Natalie, you got this, this is what you're going to do, get in the game.’ I know that she would do that if we were stranded on an island.”

Favorite music artist?

“Megan Moroney.”

Favorite food?

“Kettle corn.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I always like to say I'm the first one here, and I'm always the last one to leave. I'm always the last one to be putting and I'm always the first on the range. I take the longest to warm up out of anybody.”

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

“I really want to play in the [NCAA] national championship but a fun bucket list item would be I want to go skiing out of the country.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“Jesus Christ. He did everything perfect. He is everything I look forward to, is everything I want to be and he's where I want to be when I die.”

Sennett won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 41 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Normal West sophomore quarterback stepped in and led the Wildcats to a 43-38 victory over Peoria High on the road in his first varsity start. Sennett racked up 240 yards and five touchdowns through the air, throwing two of them to Efoe Baskins and one apiece to Cody Muhlbauer, Maliq Givens-Smith and CJ Payton. Sennett kept it going and threw multiple touchdowns in a 40-35 win over Waubonsie Valley on Oct. 3. 

Get to know Sennett in a Q and A here: 

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

“Throwing five touchdowns while underdogs versus Peoria High.”

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

“I would pick Maliq Givens-Smith because he would make for a good hunter.”

Favorite music artist?

“Drake.”

Favorite food?

“Breaded mac and cheese.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Before every game, I play the game in my mind. I don’t know, but it makes me less nervous. Also, I always put my left shoe on first.”

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

“Bungee jump.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My dad because he does so much for the people around him and is always going 100 percent.”