Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026
Central Illinois is coming alive again in the postseason with many teams in several sports advancing deep into the playoffs. The latest group of Clutch Sports Media Fall Athletes of the Week nominees are helping them get there.
This week’s nominees include a pair of Mid-Illini football standouts, four dynamic volleyball players that led their teams to regional titles, plus sectional champions in cross country and boys soccer.
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Check out all of 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 p.m
CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees
Brayden Cox, Metamora football
Cox delivered in multiple key moments to help No. 12 seed Metamora beat No. 5 Breese Central 21-20 on the road in the Class 4A playoffs. The junior wide receiver ran for a 27-yard touchdown with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter that set up Metamora’s go-ahead two-point conversion. Shortly afterward, he made a game-sealing interception and also had a 45-yard touchdown earlier in the game. He finished the game with three carries for 93 yards and five catches for 45 yards plus four tackles on defense.
Oliver Wettstein, Washington boys soccer
Wettstein notched a pair of shutouts to vault Washington to its second consecutive Class 2A sectional title and delivered in a penalty kick shootout in the sectional title match. The sophomore goalkeeper blanked Bradley-Bourbonnais in a 2-0 sectional semifinal victory on Oct. 27, then put up another goose egg in the sectional championship against Normal U-High on Oct. 30. Wettstein helped the Panthers win that game in a penalty kick shootout with a key saves and also scored a penalty kick of his own.
Aiden Duhs, IVC boys cross country
Duhs led IVC boys cross country to its first sectional title in program history as the Grey Ghosts captured the Class 1A Oregon Sectional plaque. Duhs crossed the finish line in 15:57.5 to place third and help himself and his team reach the Class 1A State Finals.
Sage Lelm, Morton football
Lelm scored four touchdowns in Morton’s 45-14 win over Lemont in the Class 5A first round and did so in all three phases of the game. He had a 1-yard touchdown rush, a 45-yard touchdown catch at the end of the first half, a punt return touchdown and recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown as well.
Gavin Stickelmaier, Peoria Notre Dame boys soccer
Stickelmaier continued his strong campaign by leading Peoria Notre Dame to a Class 2A Sycamore Sectional championship. He scored PND’s only goal in its 1-0 win over highly-ranked Aurora Marmion on Oct. 30 to give the Irish their state-leading 25th sectional title.
Vote here!
CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll
Brayden Cox, Metamora football
Oliver Wettstein, Washington boys soccer
Aiden Duhs, IVC boys cross country
Sage Lelm, Morton football
CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees
Maddy Stephens, Illini Bluffs volleyball
Stephens put up a massive performance in Illini Bluffs’ Class 1A regional championship win, headlined by 48 assists in a three-set win over Heyworth. Stephens set up Emerson Eeten and Addi Woertz for a combined 43 kills. She also added 12 digs, three kills, a pair of aces and a block.
Lillian Chaddock, Peoria Notre Dame girls cross country
Chaddock and the Irish swept titles at the Class 2A Metamora Sectional on Oct. 31 to enter the IHSA State Finals as some of the top contenders. Chaddock won the 2.94-mile race in 17:47.0 and propelled the Irish to win the team crown by 12 points over Lemont.
Bryn Williamson, Limestone volleyball
The senior Rockets star has made her last postseason trip count with two strong performances in Limestone’s Class 3A Lincoln Regional championship victory. Williamson put up 11 kills and 11 assists to go with an ace and a block in a regional semifinal sweep over Lincoln on Oct. 27 and led Limestone in assists (17) aces (5) and blocks (2) in its regional championship win over Springfield on Oct. 29.
Anja Nelson, Brimfield volleyball
Nelson had two double-double performances to lead Brimfield to a Class 1A ROWVA/Williamsfield Regional title. She notched 11 digs, 10 kills and an ace in the Indians’ regional title win against the host Cougars on Oct. 29 and impressed with 12 kills, 12 digs and seven aces in a regional semifinal win over Princeville on Oct. 28. She added six kills, three acs and three digs in a regional quarterfinal win over Annawan on Oct. 26.
Rebecca Lopez, Dunlap volleyball
Lopez keyed Dunlap to an upset victory in the Class 3A Dunlap Regional title game as the Eagles beat No. 1 seed LaSalle-Peru. Lopez had a big game with 19 kills and 18 digs against the Cavaliers on Oct. 29, which helped Dunlap win its first regional title since 2016.
Vote here!
CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll
Maddy Stephens, Illini Bluffs volleyball
Lillian Chaddock, Peoria Notre Dame girls cross country
Bryn Williamson, Limestone volleyball
Anja Nelson, Brimfield volleyball
Go Ollie!