Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2026
Several high school sports weren’t able to compete as much as they had planned due to extensive heat in the start of September, but that didn’t stop many of the area’s top athletes from showing up in a big way.
This week’s nominees for Clutch Sports Media’s Fall Athletes of the Week include two touchdown magnets in small-school football, two cross country runners from the Mid-Illini, a trio of star volleyball players and other impressive performers from boys golf, boys soccer and girls swimming.
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Check out our nominees with information on their standout performances below, vote for who you think should win and spread the word to vote before polls close on Friday at 11:59 PM!
CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees
Owen Adams, El Paso-Gridley football
Adams turned in another standout performance a week after breaking El Paso-Gridley’s passing yards and completions record. The Titans’ senior quarterback threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns in EPG’s 43-0 win over Ridgeview/Lexington with one TD pass to four different receivers. Adams recently set new school records with over 3,600 passing yards and 245 completions and counting.
Will Jaegle, Washington boys soccer
A hot week on the soccer pitch couldn’t stop Jaegle, who keyed the undefeated Panthers to multiple wins. He put up three goals and two assists to help Washington beat Limestone 9-0 on Sept. 1 and scored twice in the Panthers’ 4-0 win over East Moline United on Sept. 3.
Maxwell Kirby, Peoria Notre Dame boys cross country
Kirby, who is coming off an all-state campaign, started off his senior season in the winners’ circle. He took first place at the Galesburg Silver Streak Invitational with a time of 15:56.32 to beat the rest of the field by just under 22 seconds. His finish helped PND finish in second as a team.
Jimmy Lollar, Olympia football
Lollar ran with a vengeance in Week 3 of the football season as his efforts helped Olympia score a bounce-back win in a 54-6 victory over Riverton. Lollar finished with 16 carries for 158 yards and five touchdowns and added an interception, a fumble recovery and a pair of tackles on defense.
Jack Quinn, Normal U-High boys golf
Quinn made the most of an abbreviated week on the links and won Limestone’s Coyote Creek Classic on Aug. 31. Quinn shot a five-under 67 and made six birdies on his round, including four on the front nine. His low score helped Normal U-High win the event by four strokes over Washington.
Vote here!
CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll
Owen Adams, El Paso-Gridley football
Will Jaegle, Washington boys soccer
Maxwell Kirby, Peoria Notre Dame boys cross country
Jimmy Lollar, Olympia football
CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees
Anna McGlasson, Midland volleyball
McGlasson led the Timberwolves to five wins and a runner-up finish at the Farmer City Blue Ridge Tournament during a busy week. McGlasson tallied 71 kills and 52 digs throughout seven matches and added 20 service points as well. Her big performances included putting up six blocks in a win over Galva on Sept. 1, 10 kills in a win over Peoria Heights on Sept. 2 and 15 kills, 17 digs and three blocks in a loss against Putnam County on Sept. 3.
Morgan Coker, Pekin girls cross country
Coker battled through a hot day at the Canton Invitational on Sept. 5 and took first place for her first win of the 2026 season. The Dragons’ senior clocked in at 19:53.0, which was 38 seconds faster than runner-up and teammate McKinlee Williams. Their performance helped the Dragons win the event.
Kam Gardiner, Peoria Notre Dame girls swimming
Gardiner piled up a handful of victories and took home meet MVP honors from the Sterling Invite on Sept. 5. Gardiner won three events in a duel against Dunlap on Sept. 3, namely the 200 free (1:58.67), 500 free (5:16.94) and the 200 free relay (1:49.10) which she anchored. At Sterling, Gardiner won the 200 IM (2:06.76) and the 100 fly (56.64) and led PND to runner-up showings in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay.
Rebekah Stock, Morton volleyball
Stock was one of many Potters to have a big week that was capped off by winning a tournament title at the Edwardsville Classic. Stock was named the tournament MVP after recording 30 kills and 41 digs across five matches to help Morton beat Lincoln, Rock Island, O’Fallon, Mascoutah and three-time defending Missouri state champion Lafayette.
Kampbell Niepagen, Bloomington Central Catholic volleyball
The Auburn commit put up big numbers across five games for the Saints last week, led by a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs against Quincy Notre Dame on Sept. 5. Earlier that day, she led BCC to a win over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin with 16 kills, nine digs and two aces. Niepagen added nine kills and seven digs in a loss to Class 4A powerhouse Chicago Marist on Sept. 2 and added a combined 26 kills and 11 digs in a pair of wins over Heyworth and Decatur St. Teresa to start the week.
Vote here!
CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll
Anna McGlasson, Midland volleyball
Morgan Coker, Pekin girls cross country
Kam Gardiner, Peoria Notre Dame girls swimming
Rebekah Stock, Morton volleyball
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