Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, Oct. 27-Nov. 2, 2025

The latest group of CSM Fall Athletes of the Week nominees proved they’d be able to do whatever it takes to win, whether it was winning sectional titles, regional titles or first-round playoff games. 

This week’s nominees include three volleyball players who led their teams to regional titles, several top runners from sectionals in boys and girls cross country, two running backs who were unstoppable in playoff victories and key contributors for team that won boys soccer sectional titles.

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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 Friday!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees 

Anja Nelson, Brimfield volleyball

Nelson led Brimfield to its second consecutive regional title with wins over Biggsville West Central, Knoxville and North Fulton. She had a double-double of 12 kills and 11 digs in the Class 1A Biggsville West Central regional title game over North Fulton on Oct. 30 and supplied 15 digs, 14 kills, 3 assists and two aces against Biggsville West Central on Oct. 27. 

 Caylie Ahten, Washington girls cross country 

Ahten continued her strong stretch as of late, finishing third at the Class 2A Geneseo Sectional and leading Washington to a regional title. The Panthers’ senior ran an 18:21.2 for her fourth consecutive top-3 finish and her performance was crucial for Washington, who won by three points over Normal West and advanced to the Class 2A state finals. 

Laney Snow, Normal U-High volleyball

Snow helped carry Normal U-High to winning the Class 3A Bloomington Regional title, stacking up 22 digs and 17 kills across a pair of wins. Snow led the Pioneer offense with nine kills, while also adding seven digs in a 2-0 win over Urbana in the regional semifinals on Oct. 28 and tallied 15 digs and eight kills in a sweep over Bloomington in the regional title game on Oct. 30. 

Renee Warren, Normal West girls cross country 

Warren finished second to lead all area runners at the Class 2A Geneseo Sectional, crossing the finish line in 18:14.77. Along with Julie Bach and Amanda Warren, she was one of three Normal West runners to finish in the top 10, giving the Wildcats fifth place and a berth at the Class 2A state finals. 

Kampbell Niepagen, Bloomington Central Catholic volleyball

Niepagen combined for 17 kills and 12 digs across a pair of games to lead Bloomington Central Catholic to its second straight regional title. The Saints’ star led the attack with eight kills and four blocks in a regional semifinal win over Olympia on Oct. 28 and added nine kills to help BCC defeat Tri-Valley in the Class 2A Olympia Regional title game on Oct. 30. 

Vote here!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll

• Anja Nelson, Brimfield volleyball
• Caylie Ahten, Washington girls cross country
• Laney Snow, Normal U-High volleyball
• Renee Warren, Normal West girls cross country

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CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Ky’Veon Chestnut, Bloomington football

Chestnut ran wild in Bloomington’s Class 5A first-round playoff game with 313 yards and five touchdowns in a 57-26 win over Mascoutah. The yardage mark was a career-high for Chestnut as he carried the ball 33 times and scored at least once in each quarter. He also added a pair of sacks on defense. 

Believe Avida, Normal Community boys soccer

Avida scored nearly all of Normal Community’s goals while it was at the Class 3A Peoria Notre Dame Sectional, which the Ironmen won. Avida scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 sectional semifinal win over Minooka on Oct. 28 and went on to score both of his team’s goals in a 2-0 win over Collinsville in the sectional title game on Nov. 1. Avida’s efforts gave Normal Community its first sectional title since 2017. 

Keyston Beyer, Morton boys cross country 

Beyer headlined Morton’s lineup in winning the Class 2A Geneseo Sectional on Nov. 1, finishing fifth at Richmond Hill Park. The Potters’ junior crossed the line in 15:25.99 and was one of three Morton runners to finish in the top 10, helping the team edge out Peoria Notre Dame for the sectional title by two points. 

Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack football

Denniston led Dee-Mack to its playoff win since 2021 by accumulating over 200 total yards and scoring five touchdowns in a 52-34 win over Chicago Crane on the road. The Chiefs’ tailback ran 18 times for 199 yards and four touchdowns and also caught three passes for 12 yards and a touchdown. 

Oliver Wettstein, Washington boys soccer

Wettstein continued an impressive freshman season with a pair of shutouts that helped Washington win the Class 2A Washington Sectional title. He extended his streak of not allowing a goal in the postseason in a 4-0 win over Urbana on Oct. 29 and a 2-0 win in overtime over Normal West on Nov. 1. 

Vote here!

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll

• Ky'Veon Chestnut, Bloomington football
• Believe Avida, Normal Community football
• Keyston Beyer, Morton boys cross country
• Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack football

See All Options