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 25-30, 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, Brett Alkire of the Dunlap baseball team was named JS boys athlete of the week.
Kaeden Schatsiek, Brimfield/Elmwood baseball
The senior used his arm and bat in helping Brimfield/Elmwood win a regional title. Schatsiek tossed a two-hitter as the Indians beat Peoria Christian 7-1 in the Class 2A Farmington Regional championship on Saturday, May 30. He struck out 16 in six innings of work on 106 pitches. The Illinois State signee added a solo home run — his 17th of the season — in the bottom of the fifth. Brimfield/Elmwood (30-5) plays in a sectional semifinal on Wednesday, June 3.
RJ Duncheon, East Peoria baseball
The senior turned in a masterful pitching performance to win a regional title. Duncheon threw a two-hitter in helping East Peoria beat Washington 3-0 in the Class 3A Galesburg Regional title on May 30. He struck out 14 and walked one on 90 pitches in giving the Raiders their first regional title since 2021. He added a 2-for-3 day at the plate as East Peoria (24-13) plays its sectional semifinal in Washington on Wednesday, June 3.
Malik Johnson, Peoria High track and field
The senior capped his high school career with a state title. Johnson won the Class 3A triple jump in a personal-best 48 feet, 4.5 inches at Eastern Illinois on May 30. His leap was the longest triple jump mark in Illinois for 2026. This is also Peoria High’s first triple state championship since John Crowner won the 1895. Johnson, who will compete at Eastern next season, was also the 20th-place finisher in the long jump (21 feet, 1.25 inches).
Ben Gorsage, Washington track and field
The junior made program history with a state championship. Gorsage won the Class 3A 800-meter run in a personal-best effort at Eastern Illinois on May 30. His half-mile time of 1 minute, 49.88 seconds was the fastest time in Illinois for 2026. The victory also provided the Panthers their first-ever state champion in boys track and field. Gorsage, who was the 3A state third-place finisher last season, improved his time by nearly 10 seconds from April.
Tommy Sopko & Weston Lange, Metamora tennis
The doubles partners etched their names in the Metamora record books. Sopko and Lange finished as the Class 1A state fourth-place finishers on May 30. The pair made a run to the semifinals thanks to a 7-5, 0-6, 6-4 quarterfinal win over Zeke Boldman and Eryk Bucior from Crystal Lake South. In the semifinal match, Sopko and Lange fell in straight sets before losing 6-3, 6-3 to Deerfield’s Michael Cho and Elliott Kastin for third place.
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 25-30, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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