After plenty of solid spring sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week nominees for April 20-25, 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, Schyer Meinders of the Brimfield/Elmwood softball team was named JS girls athlete of the week.
Cora Ellison, Illini Bluffs softball
Ellison belted three home runs and drove in eight RBIs in victories over Abingdon-Avon and Midwest Central. She hit two homers — a two-run in the second and a three-run in the third — as IB rolled to a 17-0, four-inning win over A-Town on Monday, April 20. Ellison also picked up the pitching win by scattering three hits and striking out eight. She then added a two-run homer to beat Midwest Central, 15-4, on April 21. In a three-inning relief appearance, Ellison struck out four and walked one to get the save.
Jaeleigh Decker, Pekin softball
Decker hit a go-ahead 11th-inning homer to help beat East Peoria, 3-2, on April 20. The catcher, who was 0-for-4 on the day with four strikeouts, stepped to the plate with two outs and Lily Towery on first base. Decker worked the count to 1-2 before belting a two-run shot over the left-field fence. This was the fourth one-run Mid-Illini Conference game Pekin has played in this season, posting a 3-1 record.
Ava Alt, East Peoria track & field
The senior was a two-event winner last week. Alt won the sprints at the Dunlap Invite on Friday, April 24. She clocked in at 12.61 seconds in the 100-meter dash, then posted a 200-meter dash time of 26.07 seconds. She currently leads both events in the Peoria-area track and field honor roll. Alt also took third in the 400-meter dash (59.58 seconds).
Jessica Henderson, Tremont track & field
The freshman put together an impressive pair of wins last week. Henderson won the half-mile and mile at the Dunlap Invite. Her 1600-meter time was a personal best in 5:25.05 to win by over 17 seconds. Henderson also won the 800-meter run in 2:25.59. Both times are fast enough to crack the top 12 in the honor roll.
Addy Lovell, Peoria Christian soccer
The freshman was a goal-scoring machine last week. In three matches, Lovell scored five goals and assisted on three more as PCS went 3-0-0. Her week began with a hat trick and an assist to beat St. Bede, 9-0, on April 20. Lovell then added an assist in a 2-0 win against Canton on Thursday, April 23. She then concluded her run with two goals and an assist as the Chargers beat Manteno, 4-0, on April 24. Lovell has a team-high 16 goals.
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 girls athlete of the week for April 20-25, presented by CEFCU
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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