Welcome to the spring time’s first Herald-Times Athlete of the Week poll presented by IU Health for the week of March 30-April 4.
Congratulations to Owen Valley sophomore Grady Bough, who received 56% of the vote (10,532) to top Edgewood’s Anthony Shields (23.3%) to win the Preseason Baseball Player of the Year poll last week.
Readers may vote as much as they like until our latest poll closes on Thursday, April 9 at noon. Here are this week’s nominees: (Did we miss someone? Have your coach/AD nominate their top performers each weekend by noon Monday at jgordillo@heraldt.com).
Karl Bailey, South boys golf
Junior transfer started his career with the Panthers in strong fashion, carding a 3-under 69 at Shadowood for medalist honors at the Seymour Invitational. It led South to a 303 and the team title as well.
Ally Bland, Edgewood softball
Started off her season with a six-inning perfect game against Bloomington North and went on to pitch 17 innings, striking out 29 and walking just one while giving up just one run in wins over Orleans and Indian Creek. She also went 4-of-9 at the plate.
Lila Childers, North girls track
Won the 800 in 2:23.61 and the 1,600 in 5:11.26 then anchored the 1,600 relay to a win to secure the team victory over Edgewood in the season opener.
Kelsey Davis, Edgewood girls track
Won three hurdles races, a long jump event and helped the 400 relay to a win as the Mustangs opened their season against South, North and Owen Valley. Won both hurdles races against North and OV with a 17.22 in the 100s and a 48.52 in the 300s. She led off the winning 400 relay that finished in 50.53. Also won the 300 hurdles and took the long jump with a 16-6 leap against South.
Ryan Decker, North boys golf
Freshman fired a 79 on the Donald Ross Course in his first high school tournament to lead the Cougars to second place at the Springs Valley Invitational.
Adis Hamidovic, North boys track
Senior thrower was right around his career bests in opener with a 54-8 to win shot put and a 173-5 to win discus against Edgewood and Owen Valley.
Alan Hays, North boys track
Unbeatable in the hurdles, with a blistering lifetime bests of 14.65 in the 110s and a 38.84 in the 300s to start the season against Edgewood and Owen Valley. Led off 400 relay that won in 43.36.
Saxon Pennycuff, Eastern Greene baseball
Freshman made his mound debut vs. Salem and tossed a seven-inning two-hitter, striking out 10, walking four and giving up just one earned run in a 2-0 loss. Also went 3-for-6 at the plate on the week.
Ella Sproul, Edgewood softball
Red hot bat from the start going 5-of-8 (.625) with three doubles, a homer, two steals and a team best eight RBIs as the Mustangs went 3-0.
Gabe Taylor, South boys track
Sped to a pair of wins in the season opener against Edgewood with an 11.31 in the 100 and a 22.64 to nip teammate Khaliq Akou in the 200 by .01. Ran for South’s 400 relay that went 42.87, just .36 off last year’s school record.
Reid Walker, South baseball
Helped the Panthers to opening day wins over Forest Park (12-1) and New Prairie (4-2), going 2-for-4 with an RBI and four stolen bases. Turned two double plays at shortstop. On the mound, picked up a win in relief against New Prairie, going three innings, giving up two hits, one walk and no runs with four strikeouts.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: VOTE Herald-Times Athlete of the Week poll for March 30-April 4 presented by IU Health
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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