Connor Williams of the Canton wrestling team was voted the Journal Star high school boys athlete of the week nominees for Feb. 16-21, presented by CEFCU.
The senior wrapped up his season in dramatic fashion Saturday. Williams earned a 2-1 sudden-victory in the 285-pound state championship match at the State Farm Center. His win came with an escape in the second overtime with 24 seconds against Lena-Winslow senior Jeremiah Luke. Williams finished his season with a 40-1 record.
The poll closed at noon Friday. Information about the other nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at sports@pjstar.com or tag us on X @pjstarsports. Last week, Jerry Hahn of the Deer Creek-Mackinaw basketball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.
Josh Humbles, Manual basketball
The senior helps the Rams into the postseason on a high note. Humbles scored 12 points as Manual beat Dunlap, 74-46, in a nonconference home finale Thursday night. His play over the last week-and-half has helped Manual (18-9), which took third in the Big 12 Conference, win four in a row heading into Class 2A regionals as a top seed.
Alex McKie, Morton basketball
The senior wrapped a regular season with a trio of big games. McKie’s week started last Tuesday, Feb. 17 with 18 points as the Potters beat Washington 61-49 and wrapped up an outright Mid-Illini Conference championship. He then scored 19 points – 10 coming in the third quarter – in a 66-62 win over Richwoods on Feb. 18. His week wrapped up Feb. 20 with a five 3-pointers and a 16-point effort to beat Normal U-High, 62-43. Morton (26-4) has won 19 in a row.
Wyatt Medlin, Washington wrestling
The senior ended his prep career with perfection Saturday. Medlin captured the Class 2A 165-pound state championship at the State Farm Center. The Illinois recruit won his third state title. He wrapped up the 2026 campaign at 43-0 record, while outscoring four state finals opponents, 62-13. This included a 19-3 tech fall in the title-bout win.
Paxton Dickson, Richwoods swimming & diving
The senior turned in a pair of state-qualifying performances Saturday, Feb. 21. Dickson won the 50-yard freestyle (21.33 seconds) and 100-yard backstroke (54.42 seconds) at the East Moline United Township Sectional. His 50-free time was the fastest among the three local advancers, while Dickson was the lone 100-back state qualifier.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Canton wrestler voted high school boys athlete of the week, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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