Poll: Vote for the Southwestern Illinois Athlete of the Week

Prep fall season in the metro-east continues.

Now’s your chance to vote for the Belleville News-Democrat’s High School Athlete of the Week. The poll closes at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22.

To vote again, hit refresh.

Want to nominate an athlete? The BND Athlete of the Week highlights high school varsity players who put in outstanding performances from the week prior to the opening of the poll. If you want to suggest someone to be included, send an email to Ahmad Lathan at alathan@bnd.com

Please include the athlete’s name, school, class, position, and applicable game performance statistics. Coaches must be willing to verify information.

To be clear, this poll is not scientific. In fact, we invite you to vote as many times as you want. It’s all for fun, BND readers. People also may submit the same athlete from week to week.

We’ll post the results later this week after the poll closes.

Thanks for your responses!

Here are this week’s nominees:

Maurice Taggart, O’Fallon High School, Senior, Defense Midfielder

Taggart had team-leading 5 blocks in a 1-0 overtime victory over Alton during the week.

Colin McGinnis, Edwardsville High School, Senior, Forward

McGinnis scored 1 goal and had 1 assist during the Panthers 1-1-1 stint during last week against O’Fallon, Belleville West and Alton Marquette.

Alayna Santel, Breese Central High School, Senior, Right Side Hitter

Santel had 20 total kills, 3 blocks and 16 kills during the Cougars 2-1 stint against Staunton, Freeburg and Mater Dei.

Lain Krauss, Freeburg High School, Senior, Goalkeeper

Krauss had 21 total saves with a .808 save percentage during the Midgets 2-0-1 play against Father McGivney, Columbia and Granite City.

Braden Missey, Belleville West High School, Sophomore, Midfielder

Missey scored 2 goals, had 1 assist and scored a game-winning goal in 2-0 stint last week against Belleville East and Edwardsville.

Sydney Davis, Edwardsville High School, Senior, Outside Hitter

Davis notched 12 kills and 7 digs during the Tigers two victories over the Alton and East St. Louis.

This story was originally published September 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM.