After plenty of solid sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school boys athlete of the week nominees for May 18-23, presented by CEFCU.
Head to www.pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the 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, Sam McCall of the Richwoods baseball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.
Brett Alkire, Dunlap baseball
The junior helped the Eagles lock up the Mid-Illini Conference title last week. His heroics began on May 18 in a 5-3 win over Metamora. Alkire’s two-run double in the top of the seventh broke a 3-3 tie. That helped Dunlap lock up at least a share of the Mid-Illini Conference crown. He then continued his hot bat on May 20 in a 3-2 victory against Metamora. In the bottom of the fifth, Alkire hit a bases-clearing double to erase a one-run deficit and give Dunlap a lasting lead. Dunlap’s win gave the Eagles their first outright Mid-Illini championship since 2019.
Aiden Duhs, Illinois Valley Central track & field
The junior set a new school record last week. On Thursday, May 21, Duhs cruised to the 800-meter title at the Class 2A Galesburg Sectional. His time of 1:51.28 is the second fastest prep outdoor time in Illinois this season. Duhs also set a new school record by besting the mark set by two-time Class A state champion Zach Glavash (1:52.81, 2003).
Justin Muselman, Tremont baseball
The senior helped keep a long winning streak alive last week. Muselman’s two-out, RBI double lifted Tremont to a 1-0 win over Farmington on May 21. This gave Tremont its 18th win in a row thanks to Muselman’s walk-off hit in the bottom of seventh. He also went 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI as the Turks beat Havana, 11-2 on May 20. His week began May 19 when he went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs in a 9-2 win against Henry. Tremont (31-2) hasn’t lost since Saturday, April 11.
Daniel Nathan, Richwoods tennis
The sophomore picked up a state finals berth last week. Nathan won the singles title at the Class 2A Richwoods Sectional on Saturday, May 23. He needed three sets – 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 – to beat classmate Kace Tyler in the title match. On his way to the individual championship, Nathan dropped just four games, winning his semifinal match 6-0, 6-3 over Normal Community junior Akshu Peleti. This is the second successive season Nathan has won a sectional title.
Jaiduan Cranford, Metamora track & field
The senior qualified for the state finals in four events last week. Cranford swept the sprints, then anchored a pair of relays at the Class 2A Galesburg Sectional on May 21. He won the 100-meter (10.80 seconds) and 200-meter (21.67, personal best) dashes. The Northern Illinois football signee then teamed with Brayden Cox, Kylan McMillen and Jayson Pickles in the 4×100-meter relay (41.91 seconds). Cranford, Cox, McMillen and Zach Alwardt then won the 4×200-meter relay (1:27.15) as the Redbirds (132 points) won the team title over Morton (118 points).
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: Vote for Journal Star boys athlete of the week for May 18-23, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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