Tremont’s Dawson, Pekin’s Lindahl win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

The spring sports season began with many great performances and a pair of stars on the diamond had some of the biggest of the bunch to help them win Clutch Sports Media’s Spring Athletes of the Week.

Tremont baseball standout Andrew Dawson and Pekin softball standout Zoe Lindahl took home the awards after receiving the most votes in their respective polls. Dawson had several strong games at the plate, including a two-homer performance, to help key the Turks’ 4-0 start. Lindahl tossed a pair of shutouts to lead Pekin to a pair of victories and also contributed at the plate.

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

Dawson won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after receiving 38 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The Tremont star and Valparaiso commit led the Turks to a 4-0 start with extra-base hits in each of his first three games, including a 3-4 performance with two home runs, a triple and five RBIs in a 13-2 win over Port Byron Riverdale on March 21. He went 2-4 with a double and an RBI in a 10-0 season-opening win over Richwoods on March 19 and hit an RBI double in a 5-2 victory over Milford on March 20.

Get to know Dawson 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 would have to be hitting a game-winner in the sectional championship basketball game against my rival Dee Mack.”

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 want to be with Griffin Meeker. I want him on my island because I will never get bored on the island, and we have that connection so we would be able to survive. He’ll make me laugh a lot and I know he will have my back.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Zach Bryan.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is chicken alfredo.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Before every game, I put on my special baseball cologne, wear the same chains, and I always say a pregame prayer. I also have to put my right cleat on first, and tighten my glove before I can go warm up.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list would be visiting all of the Major League Baseball stadiums.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my mom because she is very hard working and kind. She motivates me to always do my best and be nice to people no matter what.”

Lindahl won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after receiving 47 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Pekin pitcher got it done in the circle and at the plate as the Dragons kicked off their season with a pair of wins. Lindahl had two RBIs and struck out nine batters while surrendering no hits in three innings in a 14-0 win over Midwest Central on March 19. She followed it up with  a seven-inning shutout of Mundelein on March 21, striking out 10 batters while walking none and allowing two hits in a 1-0 win.

Get to know Lindahl in a Q and A here:

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

“My favorite memory so far has just been being with my team and laughing all the time. Never a dull moment with us!”

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

“If I had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, it would be with Sarah [Baughman] because she is smart and will help us stay alive.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Rihanna.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is pretzels and mustard.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“A pregame ritual I do is pray with my team.”

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

“One thing on my bucket list is to go skydiving.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role model is my mom because she is the strongest person I know and has always supported me through thick and thin.”