Vote: CSM Winter Athletes of the Week, Feb. 16-22, 2026

With the final weeks of the winter sports season winding down, Central Illinois athletes laid it all on the line with their seasons hanging in the balance.

This week’s nominees for Clutch Sports Media’s Winter Athletes of the Week include a trio of state champion wrestlers, five girls basketball players that were key factors in winning regional titles, a two-time boys swimming state qualifier and an IVC hoops standout.

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

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week nominees 

Lauren Shuey, Bloomington girls basketball

Shuey led the Purple Raiders in winning a Class 3A regional title in upset fashion, their first regional title since 2009. Shuey did it all in a 65-44 semifinal win over Danville on Feb. 17 and finished with 21 points and eight assists. She also shined in the Class 3A Bloomington Regional title game with 15 points and a perfect 8-for-8 mark from the free throw line in a 44-39 victory over Normal West. 

Alia Riddle, Heyworth girls basketball

Riddle has been one of the area’s best freshmen and showed why in helping Heyworth win the Class 1A Tremont Regional title. The Hornets’ star put up a whopping 33 points and seven rebounds to headline a 61-33 semifinal win over Ridgeview on Feb. 16 and added 15 points and seven boards in a 52-47 comeback victory over Tremont in the regional title game on Feb. 19.

Baylie Nena, Metamora girls basketball

The Metamora sophomore forward had two strong performances in a pair of blowout victories for the Redbirds in the Class 3A Metamora Regional title. Nena diced up Streator with 17 points in a 57-27 victory on Feb. 17 and upped the ante with 19 points and more strong defense in a 62-28 victory over Morris to give the Redbirds their first regional title since 2010.

Anna McGlasson, Midland girls basketball

McGlasson helped propel Midland to its second-ever regional title and first since 1999. The Timberwolves’ forward put up 11 points in a 52-22 romp over Henry-Senachwine on Feb. 16 and added 13 points in Midland’s 52-45 victory over Yorkville Christian to win the Class 1A Serena Regional title. 

Bri Harms, Roanoke-Benson girls basketball

Harms continued to play like one of the top players in the area while leading Roanoke-Benson to a Class 1A Clifton Central Regional title. She scored 13 in the Rockets’ 57-22 win over Flanagan/Woodland on Feb. 16 and nearly doubled that total with 25 points in a 49-25 win over regional host Clifton Central in the championship game. 

Vote here!

CSM Girls Athlete of the Week poll

• Lauren Shuey, Bloomington girls basketball
• Alia Riddle, Heyworth girls basketball
• Baylie Nena, Metamora girls basketball
• Anna McGlasson, Midland girls basketball

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CSM Boys Athlete of the Week nominees

Connor Williams, Canton boys wrestling

Williams finished his Little Giants career on top as he won the Class 1A 285-pound state title, one year after he placed fifth. Williams moved past Murphysboro’s Julien Tanner and Dixon’s Dylan Bopes both by 4-1 decisions to put himself in the semifinals. There, he pinned Effingham’s Jeremiah Lorton before gutting out a 2-1 win that took a tiebreaker period over Lena-Winslow/Stockston’s Jeremiah Luke. Williams finished the year with a 40-1 record.

Paxton Dickson, Richwoods boys swimming

Dickson led the way for Richwoods at the East Moline United Sectional and qualified for state in two events. His time of 21.33 in the 50 freestyle was enough to win, as was his clocking of 54.42 to take the 100 backstroke.

Connor Collins, Olympia boys wrestling

Collins finished off an outstanding freshman season by winning a Class 1A state title at 106 pounds. He won his first two state matches decisively, beating Yorkville Christian’s Davin Torza in an 11-3 major decision before pinning Benton’s Braxton Tittle. Collins pinned Winnebago’s Cam Whitehead in the semifinals and earned a 7-3 victory over Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley/Fisher’s Bentley Fields in the championship match. Collins ended the year with a mark of 39-6.

Wyatt Medlin, Washington boys wrestling 

Medlin joined rare company by becoming a three-time state champion and doing so in three different weight classes. The Illinois commit won the Class 2A state title at 165 pounds after pinning Lake Villa Lakes’ Michael Flatley earned in the first round, followed by three tech falls. Medlin beat Mahomet-Seymour’s Talon Decker 21-4, Chicago St. Rita’s Michael Spinazzola 21-6 and New Lenox Providence Catholic's Jasper Harper 19-3 to finish his season undefeated at 42-0.

Brady Ward, IVC boys basketball

Ward’s big performances down the stretch helped IVC finish the regular season strong with a pair of wins. He finished with 16 points and eight rebounds in a 59-54 win over Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Feb. 16 and tied for the team lead with 21 points in a 63-58 win over El Paso-Gridley on Feb. 19. 

Vote here!

CSM Boys Athlete of the Week poll

• Connor Williams, Canton boys wrestling
• Paxton Dickson, Richwoods boys swimming
• Connor Collins, Olympia boys wrestling
• Wyatt Medlin, Washington boys wrestling

See All Options