Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, Nov. 10-16, 2025

The 2025 fall sports season in Central Illinois has seen a laundry list of unforgettable moments. 

From individual and state champions in golf, cross country teams dominating the top of the standings at the IHSA State Finals, magical soccer and volleyball seasons that ended in state trophies and widespread playoff success in football, there have been plenty of great athletes behind them all. 

Two more of them will be named CSM Fall Athletes of the Week in the last such edition of the fall season. This week’s nominees include three volleyball players who stood out at state, a record-breaking swimmer and four football players from quarterfinalist teams.

Check out all of our nominees with information on their standout performance below, vote for who you think should win, and spread the word to vote before polls close at 11:59 PM on Saturday!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

Morgan Petelin, Normal U-High volleyball

Petelin was one of many Pioneers that helped Normal U-High win the Class 3A state championship, the team’s first state title since 2000. Petelin had a big-time performance in the championship game with a double-double of 15 assists and 14 digs to go with a pair of kills as Normal U-High beat LaGrange Park Nazareth 25-20, 25-20. She added 14 assists, five kills, and three digs in the Pioneers’ state semifinal win over Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge.

Kamryn Gardiner, Peoria Notre Dame girls swimming and diving

Gardiner accomplished the highest state finish for a Peoria Notre Dame swimmer in the last 11 years, finishing third in two separate events. The Irish freshman took bronze in the 200 IM in 2:03.33, after timing a 2:03.39 in the prelims, and swam a 54.56 to take third in the 100 butterfly after clocking a 54.51 in the prelims.

Kampbell Niepagen, Bloomington Central Catholic volleyball

Niepagen came up big again for Bloomington Central Catholic as the Saints finished as the Class 2A state runner-up for the second consecutive season. The junior outside hitter posted a team-high nine kills and two blocks in BCC’s 25-16, 25-18 state semifinal win over Port Byron Riverdale. Her season finale featured 12 kills and two aces — both team highs — along with seven digs in a three-set loss to Columbia in the state title game. 

Kaylee Johnson, Tremont volleyball 

Johnson was an active presence for Tremont, who finished its first-ever trip to state with a fourth-place trophy. The senior setter tallied a combined 39 assists in the Turks’ two games at state, including 28 in their third-place game against Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, and posted 16 digs against NCOE for a double-double. Johnson added multiple aces in each contest. 

Vote here!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll

• Morgan Petelin, Normal U-High volleyball
• Kamryn Gardiner, Peoria Notre Dame girls swimming
• Kampbell Niepagen, Bloomington Central Catholic volleyball
• Kaylee Johnson, Tremont volleyball

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Cha’von Maxon, El Paso-Gridley football

Maxon was a major catalyst on both sides of the ball in El Paso-Gridley’s 32-15 win over Farmington in the Class 2A quarterfinals. The speedy sophomore receiver caught six passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, as well as snagging a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown during a key moment in the second half. 

Noah Garcia, Washington football

Garcia capped his strong sophomore season with over 150 yards of total offense against a strong New Lenox Providence Catholic defense. Garcia completed 10 of his 16 passes for 118 yards and ran for 57 yards plus Washington’s lone touchdown of the day in its quarterfinal loss. 

Blake Dietz, Dunlap football

Dietz was an efficient ball-carrier for Dunlap in its 28-14 loss to Burbank St. Laurence in the Class 6A quarterfinals. The Eagles’ senior tailback had 64 yards on eight carries and a touchdown while also making several tackles on defense.

Landon Crawford, Farmington football

Crawford was a bright spot for a Farmington offense that was somewhat limited by El Paso-Gridley in a 32-15 quarterfinal loss. Crawford caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown for the Farmers, as well as hauling in a two-point conversion through the air. 

Vote here!

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll

• Cha'von Maxon, El Paso-Gridley football
• Noah Garcia, Washington football
• Blake Dietz, Dunlap football
• Landon Crawford, Farmington football