Washington’s Flessner, East Peoria’s Duncheon win CSM Spring Athletes of the Week

Two of the Mid-Illini’s most versatile stars added CSM Spring Athletes of the Week honors to their standout spring seasons as Washington’s Jenna Flessner and East Peoria’s RJ Duncheon won the award for the week of May 5-11. 

Flessner delivered for Washington in the circle and at the plate as the Panthers navigated a busy 7-game stretch by winning every game. Duncheon came through with a brilliant pitching performance in a key Mid-Illini win for the Raiders and helped his team to several other victories during the week as well.

Read more about our winners and get to know them in Q and A’s below:

Flessner won CSM Girls Athlete of the Week after earning 54 percent of the votes in the girls poll. The Panthers’ pitcher and utility player was a key cog in Washington winning seven games in the span of six days, including three at its annual Swinging for a Cure Tournament. She worked through a tight game against Metamora by pitching a complete game with eight strikeouts in a 3-2 victory, pitched a shutout in a 6-0 win over Limestone and struck out five in a win over perennial power Illini Bluffs. The Valparaiso commit homered in the win over Metamora, drove in two runs against Limestone and drove in a combined four runs on four hits — including two home runs — at Swinging for a Cure. 

Get to know Flessner in a Q and A here: 

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“My favorite memory so far has been sweeping Metamora!”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“I would choose Tara Alois because she has many random hidden talents that could help us get off of the island.”

Favorite music artist?

“My favorite music artist is Taylor Swift.”

Favorite food?

“My favorite food is pizza.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“I don’t have any pregame routines or rituals but I always love to be around my teammates before the game!”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“My favorite college athlete is Karlyn Pickens from Tennessee!”

Do you have any hidden talents?

My hidden talent is that I can make a clover with my tongue.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My role models are my parents because they are hard working and push me to be the best I can be.”

Duncheon won CSM Boys Athlete of the Week after earning 67 percent of the votes in the boys poll. The East Peoria junior pitched his team to a key 1-0 win over Morton on May 5, striking out 16 batters and allowing just three hits in the complete game shutout. He drove in a run via a double in a 7-4 loss to Morton on May 7 and hit another RBI double in a 7-2 win over LaSalle-Peru on May 9. The Illinois State commit finished his strong week by hitting an RBI triple and a solo home run in a 7-2 win over Class 2A power Normal U-High. Since then, Duncheon drove in six runs in a 15-4 win over Metamora and went 3-for-5 in a 13-0 win over Streator.

Get to know Duncheon in a Q and A here:

What’s been your favorite memory of the season so far?

“Hitting 2 home runs in the same game vs Chatham Glenwood.”

If you had to be stranded on an island with a teammate, who would it be and why?

“Keegan Barnes because he can do it all in the outdoors.”

Favorite music artist?

“Tyler Childers.”

Favorite food?

“Steak.”

Do you have any pregame routines/rituals?

“Music and the Marc Pro.”

Who’s your favorite college or professional athlete?

“Bobby Witt Jr.”

Do you have any hidden talents?

“I can dunk.”

Who’s your role model and why?

“My father because he has been there pushing me my whole life and will continue to do that.”