Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial, Oct. 20-26

The weeks of fall are winding down, but high school athletes around Central Illinois are not as 10 impressive nominees cultivated strong showings to earn nominations for CSM Fall Athletes of the Week Presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial. 

This week’s nominees include a state standout in girls tennis, a pair of volleyball setters that chalked up big numbers, two running backs that led their teams to key wins in Week 9, regional champions in cross country, a new record-holder in boys soccer and a four-time conference champion in girls swimming.

Read more about all of our nominees and 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 Thursday! 

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

Ellie Payne, Eureka volleyball

Payne helped lead Eureka to a Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament championship to close out the regular season. The Hornets’ setter finished with 69 assists and 16 digs across three games, led by a 26-assist, four-dig effort in a win over Lexington on Oct. 21 and performance of 21 assists, six digs and four kills in the championship game over Tri-Valley on Oct. 25. 

Anna Yu, Dunlap girls tennis

Yu further built on her outstanding career with a Class 1A state runner-up finish, a three-spot improvement after finishing fifth in the state last year. Her efforts also led Dunlap to grabbing team state runner-up honors. Yu started the state tournament with three straight set wins, followed by a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory over Courtney Croll of Lake Forest Woodlands Academy in the quarterfinals and a 6-2, 6-2 triumph over Nicola Kupczyk Chicago Latin in the semifinals. She fell 7-6 (5), 6-2 in title to Addy Filipiak of Darien Hinsdale South in the championship match, but finished her season with 37 wins, most in the state of Illinois this season. 

Renee Warren, Normal West girls cross country 

Warren came through in the clutch to help Normal West win the Class 2A Metamora Regional by one point over Bloomington on Oct. 25. Warren won the meet at the 2.94-mile course at Black Partridge Park by 34 seconds, finishing in 17:21.00. The victory marked Warren’s fourth of the season. 

Ava Peplowski, Metamora girls swimming

Metamora came in a close second at the Mid-Illini Conference Meet on Oct. 25, but Peplowski led all swimmers in wins with four on the day. Peplowski set personal bests to win the 100 fly (1:00.64) and 200 IM (2:12.26) and also swam legs on the Redbirds’ winning 200 medley relay and 200 free relay. 

Kadie Bishop, Washington volleyball

Bishop put up massive numbers for Washington in the final week of the regular season, led by an incredible 52-assist outing in a three-set loss to Morton on Oct. 23. Bishop also facilitated the Panthers’ offense with 22 assists in a sweep over Canton on Oct. 21. 

Vote here!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll

• Ellie Payne, Eureka volleyball
• Anna Yu, Dunlap girls tennis
• Renee Warren, Normal West girls cross country
• Ava Peplowski, Metamora girls swimming

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CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Jayden Schmick, Dunlap football

Schmick ran for the two biggest touchdowns of the game in a 30-23 win for Dunlap in overtime over Metamora on Oct. 24. The Eagles’ running back scored the game-tying touchdown with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter, then plunged in the end zone from two yards out for the game-winning score in overtime. Schmick finished the night with 14 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns. 

John Jasker, Normal West boys soccer

Jasker etched his name into Normal West soccer immortality as he became the program’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 34 goals and counting. Jasker set the new record in the Wildcats’ 3-0 win over Lincoln in the Class 2A Normal West Regional semifinals on Oct. 21. He wasn’t done yet as he scored the game’s only goal with 1:41 left in the second overtime period to give Normal West a regional title on Oct. 25. 

Maxwell Kirby, Peoria Notre Dame boys cross country 

Kirby continued to build on a superb junior season with a Class 2A Limestone Regional title, winning the race in 14:49.10. It marked the second week in a row that Kirby won a race with a 14:49 time as he helped the Irish win the regional title as a team. 

Braydon Laesch, Heyworth football

Laesch ran all over the place in a 59-10 win over Moweaqua Central A&M, totaling a whopping 332 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged over 20 yards per carry, totaling 16 rushes on the night, as the win helped Heyworth (7-2) tie its winningest regular season in the last 17 years. 

Graham Monckton, Metamora boys soccer

Monckton had a night to remember in the Class 2A Normal West Regional semifinals on Oct. 21. The Redbirds’ goalkeeper made a key save in a penalty kick shootout against Normal U-High, then scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to send Metamora to the regional title game.

Vote here!

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll

• Jayden Schmick, Dunlap football
• John Jasker, Normal West boys soccer
• Maxwell Kirby, Peoria Notre Dame boys cross country
• Braydon Laesch, Heyworth football

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