BATTLE CREEK — The fans have spoken.
And, this year, they are twice as loud.
New this year, the Battle Creek Enquirer Athletes of the Week, presented by Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, will have two winners. There will be a boys and a girls Athlete of the Week winner.
MORE: Battle Creek Enquirer-area high school sports top performers of the week
The winner of the latest Bronson Battle Creek/Enquirer Boys Athlete of the Week fan poll is Silas Lutzke of the Harper Creek soccer team.
The winner of the latest Bronson Battle Creek/Enquirer Girls Athlete of the Week fan poll is Haley Willi of the Harper Creek golf team.
Boys Athlete of the Week – Silas Lutzke
Harper Creek came up with an Interstate 8 Conference win over city rival Pennfield in boys soccer, 5-0. Harper Creek junior midfielder Silas Lutzke, who usually comes off the bench, earned the start against Pennfield. Lutzke scored a stunning hat trick to lead the Beavers to the win.
“He’s not always in the starting lineup, but that hasn’t stopped this junior midfielder from putting in starter-level work every single day….Coming off the bench in a high-stakes match against the crosstown rivals, he made his presence felt almost instantly. With a calm head and sharp instincts, he scored not once, not twice, but three times, securing a stunning hat trick that left fans in awe and the opposition scrambling. It’s the kind of performance that doesn’t just turn heads, it changes narratives,” Harper Creek soccer coach Kyle Grestini said.
Girls Athlete of the Week – Haley Willi
Harper Creek sophomore Haley Willi helped the Beavers finish second at the 20-team Coldwater Invitational with a team score of 370. Willi was medalist for the tournament with a round of 84. Harper Creek also won an Interstate 8 Conference jamboree during the week at Marshall with Willi finishing third overall and the Beavers were second in an I-8 jamboree at Hastings with Willi finishing as match medalist.
“Haley works extremely hard on her golf game. If she were allowed she would pound balls on the range all day. She always has a deep love for the game of golf,” Harper Creek golf coach Jason Knickerbocker said.
The Battle Creek Enquirer Athlete of the Week is presented by Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. To submit a nominee for Athlete of the Week, email bcesports@battlecreekenquirer.com.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lutzke, Willi are Bronson Battle Creek Athletes of the Week winners for Sept. 15-20
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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