Normal West’s Rocke, Pekin’s Mayer win CSM Winter Athletes of the Week

The future is bright for Central Illinois high school sports when two freshmen deliver big performances at state. That’s what Normal West’s Ethan Rocke and Pekin’s Ava Mayer did en route to winning Clutch Sports Media’s Winter Athletes of the Week. 

Rocke won multiple state titles for the Wildcats’ swim team while Mayer was one of the area’s top girls wrestlers in her first trip to state with Pekin. Both athletes won the award after receiving the most votes in their respective polls.

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

Rocke won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 89 percent of the votes in the boys poll. Rocke, a freshman for the Wildcats, won four state titles at the IHSA State Finals in boys swimming within the athletes with disabilities division. He swam a 53.74 in the 50 free, a 2:00.63 in the 100 free, a 4:05.79 in the 200 free and a 2:49.75 in the 100 breaststroke. Rocke is Normal West’s second-ever state champion and first since 2016.

Get to know Rocke in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite thing was swimming at Normal West School's pool. I learned how to do flip turns this year, and the guys on the team cheered me on.  Hanging out with the team was fun.”

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, I would be stranded with Joshua Sunkel.  Number 1, he was one of the captains and my roommate for state. He is always nice and takes me home after practices.  He's also funny and goofy.”

Favorite music artist?

“I don't have one. I like to listen to all kinds of music. I like it when they play music on the speakers at the 6 a.m. practices.”

Favorite food?

“I really like steak. Steak cooked rare is my favorite food, [a] nice grilled filet mignon. 

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“We do a team cheer.  It's a funny one, and I like to do it with the team.”

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

“I want to travel around the world.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“I look up to the entire team. They helped me be brave when I was nervous. They helped push me to do my best. They are great friends and role models.”

Mayer established her case as one of the top girls wrestlers in Central Illinois at the IHSA State Finals, advancing to the consolation quarterfinals in the 120-pound bracket. The Pekin freshman pinned Lawrenceville's Delaney Ledbetter in the opening round and dropped her ensuing matchup. However, she bounced back with an impressive pin in 26 seconds against Lincolnshire Stevenson’s Nastasia Kobets in the second round of the consolation bracket before falling just one win short of a state placement. Mayer finished her season with a record of 28-8 and was a first team all-Mid Illini Conference wrestler.

Get to know Mayer in a Q and A here: 

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

“My favorite memory of my high school career so far has been wrestling alongside all my friends, creating what feels like a second family.”

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

“If I had to choose a teammate to be stuck by my side all the time, I would choose my sister Tessa Donaldson, who has pushed me all the way through the season.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist by far is Tate McRae as she shows individuality, inspiring many women.” 

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is pizza.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“As I listen to Tate McRae, my pre-match routine is to pray for my team and jump around getting ready to wrestle.”

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

“My goal by the end of my high school career is to place at state and show men that women are strong too!”

Who’s your role model and why?

“Tessa is truly my role model as we help each other through practices and keep each other on task. With that I also show a lot of appreciation to my coaches for shaping us into the best wrestlers possible.”