Vote: CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 2025

Many high school athletes have put up performances that they likely won’t be forgetting anytime soon as the calendar turned from October to November. 

Ten area athletes who excelled earned nominations for this week’s Clutch Sports Media Fall Athletes of the Week, including standouts from football, volleyball, golf, cross country, soccer and swimming. 

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UPDATE: Metamora's Zach Born and Bloomington Central Catholic's Maddie Bradbury won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week. Voting closed at 11;59 PM on Friday.

Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Cole Kretsinger, Normal Community football

Kretsinger reached the end zone five times to power Normal Community’s 56-42 win over Class 5A No. 3 Bloomington. The Ironmen running back carried the ball 26 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored a pair of touchdowns via kick returns to help his team maintain their lead throughout the game.

Crew Fortin, Illini Bluffs boys golf

Fortin stood out at the Class 1A Tri-Valley Regional on Oct. 1, winning the tournament with a round of 72 at Highland Park Golf Course. Fortin birdied two of his first four holes en route to a 36 on the front nine, which he followed up with a 36 on the back nine as well to finish two-over-par and one shot clear of Delavan’s Grady Burrell. 

Joe Heiar, Dunlap boys soccer

Heiar was a brick wall in three of Dunlap’s biggest games of the season to date, posting three shutouts last week. The senior goalkeeper didn’t allow a goal in the Eagles’ 2-0 wins over Washington and Normal West, who were both formerly unbeaten. Heiar also stopped every shot in a 1-0 win over Normal U-High on Oct. 4. 

Zach Born, Metamora boys cross country 

Born was the highest-finishing area runner at the Peoria High Invitational at Detweiller Park on Oct. 4, finishing fourth in 14:59.58. Born’s time was a season best and provided a big boost in Metamora finishing in ninth, the best showing out of any area teams. 

Dereon Mays, Peoria High football

Mays was a master of all trades for Peoria High in the Lions’ 80-30 win over Richwoods, scoring four touchdowns in a variety of ways. The senior wide receiver and defensive back had a 77-yard punt return, a 69-yard interception return, a 76-yard kick return and a 24-yard catch all for touchdowns in the big win. 

Girls Athlete of the Week nominees

Mia Lamberti, Limestone volleyball

Lamberti put together another strong week and reached a significant career milestone in the process. The junior recorded her 1,000th career kill at the Pekin Invitational on Oct. 4, where the Rocket went 5-0 to prevail and stay unbeaten on the season. The Illinois commit added eight kills and 10 assists in a 2-0 win over East Peoria on Oct. 2 and 11 kills in a 2-0 win over Canton on Sept. 30. 

Maddie Bradbury, Bloomington Central Catholic girls golf

Bradbury won the Class 1A Peru St. Bede Regional on Oct. 1, shooting an 83 at Spring Creek Golf Course to win the individual title by one stroke. Bradbury made seven pars and a birdie during her round and helped the Saints qualify for sectional in second place with a 366. 

Mya Hill, Elmwood/Brimfield girls cross country 

Hill ran two strong races, including a third-place finish at the Prairieland Conference Meet on Sept. 30. Her time of 19:58.0 led the Trojans and helped them win the team title. On Oct. 4, she placed 16th on her home course at the Elmwood Invite with a season-best time of 19:21.50, leading the team to a third-place finish out of 19 squads.

Olivia Hepp, Pekin girls swimming 

The Pekin sophomore displayed her prowess in the pool with four wins in a tri-meet against Normal West and Bloomington Central Catholic on Oct. 2. Hepp won the 100 breast in 1:18.89 and 100 fly in 1:07.82 while also leading the Dragons to victory in the 200 free relay and 200 medley relay. 

Anna McGlasson, Midland volleyball

McGlasson continued to be a force for the 21-6 Timberwolves, putting up a combined 27 kills, 31 digs and eight blocks in a trio of games. Her week included 12 kills and four blocks in a three-set loss to Earlville on Sept. 29, plus nine kills and five aces in a win over LaMoille on Oct. 1.