Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial, Oct. 13-19, 2025

With the regular season winding down across several fall sports, winning performances become much more important. A new crop of 10 nominees for CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial fit the bill and performed at their best last week.

This week’s nominees include four cross country conference champions, including several first-time winners, key players behind two of the area’s biggest winners in Week 8 football, a pair of strong hitters in volleyball and one of Central Illinois’ best divers.

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

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack football

Dee-Mack’s workhorse running back helped carry the Chiefs to a key 28-19 win over Ridgeview/Lexington, handing the Mustangs their first loss of the season and clinching playoff eligibility for Dee-Mack. Denniston carried the ball 36 times for 236 yards and all four of his team’s touchdowns. 

Gavin Stalter, Eureka boys cross country

Stalter won the Heart of Illinois Conference title on Oct. 18, leading Eureka to win the team championship as well. The win was Stalter’s first of his senior season as he smashed his previous personal best with a new record of 14:59.24. 

Joey Shields, Limestone boys soccer

Shields became Limestone’s new leader in goal scored in a season, netting his 22nd and 23rd of the year in a 5-1 win over Bloomington Oct. 16. The Rockets’ senior forward tied the record, which was first set in 1993, with a hat trick in a 9-0 romp over Springfield Southeast on Oct. 14. 

Brody Fritz, Morton football

Fritz led Morton to its biggest win since becoming the Potters’ starting quarterback as the Potters beat the Class 6A No. 9 Eagles 20-19 to move to 6-2. Fritz threw the game-winning touchdown — his second score of the night — to Brody Pinter from 11 yards out with 19 seconds left to help give Morton the dramatic victory. 

Maxwell Kirby, Peoria Notre Dame boys cross country

Kirby won the Big 12 Conference title for the first time in his career, running a 14:49.20 at Detweiller Park on Oct. 18. Kirby’s first-place showing helped Peoria Notre Dame win the team title as well. 

Vote here!

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll

• Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack football
• Gavin Stalter, Eureka boys cross country
• Joey Shields, Limestone boys soccer
• Brody Fritz, Morton football

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CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

Rebekah Stock, Morton volleyball

Stock had several big performances in a strong week for Morton as the Potters went 7-0. Stock’s six kills tied for the team-high in Morton handing Limestone its first loss of the year on Oct. 14. She additionally earned all-tournament honors at the Bethalto Civic Memorial Tournament, where the Potters won all four games in sweeps. 

Caylie Ahten, Washington girls cross country 

Ahten won the first race of her career at the Mid-Illini Conference Meet on Oct. 17 and led Washington to winning the team championship. Ahten ran a 17:57.59 at Detweiller Park, beating out her previous season-best time by over a minute. 

Lauren Poole, Metamora girls tennis

Poole won the singles championship at the Class 1A Metamora Sectional, qualifying for the IHSA State Finals and moving to 30-1 on the season. The Redbirds' ace won four matches, including a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Bloomington's Holly Turnbull in the semifinals and a 6-2, 6-2 win over Metamora teammate Lexi Burton in the championship. The Redbirds won the team title over Normal U-High.

Kinley Morris, Tri-Valley volleyball

Morris was at the center of a solid week for Heart of Illinois Conference regular season champion Tri-Valley, which chalked up wins over Washington, Dee-Mack and Fisher. Morris posted 10 digs, seven kills and two blocks in a two-set win over the Panthers on Oct. 13 and added 10 kills and eight digs in a three-set win over Dee-Mack the next day. Morris closed her week with seven kills and four aces in a sweep over Fisher on Oct. 16 that finished off an undefeated conference season for the Vikings. 

Sierra Herrmann, Eureka girls cross country 

Herrmann won the Heart of Illinois Conference title on Oct. 18, keying Eureka’s team title as well. The Hornets’ junior finished with a time of 18:00.70, which was a new personal-best and gave Herrmann the first win of her high school career. 

Vote here!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll

• Rebekah Stock, Morton volleyball
• Caylie Ahten, Washington girls cross country
• Lauren Poole, Metamora girls tennis
• Kinley Morris, Tri-Valley volleyball

See All Options