East Peoria boys wrestler voted Journal Star athlete of the week
Cooper Chester of the East Peoria boys wrestling team was voted as the Journal Star athlete of the week.
Chester, who received 167 of the 468 votes, won his weight division at the Tyler Cox Memorial Invite at Chatham Glenwood on Saturday. The freshman made a run to the 113-pound title match by winning his quarterfinal via pin, then won his semifinal match 2-0. In the championship bout, Chester pinned Troy Triad freshman Shane Seip in 3:50 and remains unbeaten on the season at 9-0.
The poll closed 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.com at @pjstarsports. Last week, Gus Rugaard of the Morton boys basketball team was named JS athlete of the week.
Malachi Persinger, Peoria Christian boys basketball
Despite suffering two losses last week, Persinger had three large scoring games highlighted by last Tuesday's effort. The 5-foot-10 junior guard matched Illinois Valley Central's point total with 39 as PCS won the nonconference game, 71-39. He added seven assists against IVC, then scored 28 in a 70-66 loss to ROWVA/Williamsfield on Friday. Persigner capped his week on Saturday with a team-high 18 points in a 59-43 loss to Bloomington Central Catholic.
Lathan Sommerville, Richwoods boys basketball
😤@tdc200 @TiptonEdits @SCNext @Relentless_Hoop @Rivals @SLAM_HS @PaulBiancardi @PrepHoopsIL @ILHoopProspects https://t.co/L4QzIHDxIf
— Lathan Sommerville (@LathanSommervi2) December 1, 2023
Sommerville posted a rare triple-double with blocks in last Thursday's 58-47 win over Normal West. The 6-foot-10 senior went for 28 points, 14 rebounds and 11 blocks. His week began last Tuesday with a game-high 23 points in beating Champaign Central, 76-58.
Brianna Brodie, Princeville girls basketball
The senior had three incredible games last week, averaging 27.7 points and 14.0 rebounds per contest. Brodie ended her stretch on Saturday with 29 points and 16 rebounds in a 61-28 win over Farmington. She began her week last Monday with 29 points and 12 rebounds in a 53-42 victory against North Fulton. Brodie then added 25 points and 14 rebounds in beating ROWVA/Williamsfield, 65-24 on Wednesday.
Lexi Baer, Peoria Notre Dame girls basketball
Baer's trio of games last week helped PND go 3-0. Her 18 points last Monday guided the Irish to a 77-32 victory against Eureka. She then scored 19 points and added five rebounds in beating Canton, 79-44 on Wednesday. The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard concluded her week with 17 points as PND cruised to a 92-16 win over Champaign Centennial.
Savannah Hamilton, El Paso-Gridley wrestling
Hamilton went 3-3 last week, competing against Coal City, Fairbury Prairie Central, Streator and at the Prairie Central Multi-Duals on Saturday. She picked up forfeits at 157 pounds against Coal City and Prairie Central last Thursday, plus a win versus Riverton. The junior finished 21-11 last season and as a state runner-up at 130.
Ethan Stone, Metamora boys swimming and diving
The freshman was a big part of Metamora taking fourth place in the 11-team Macomb Invitational on Saturday. He teamed with Drew Buss, Adam Culp and AJ Stone to win the 200-yard medley relay. Ethan Stone then took second in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle races.
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: Results of poll for Journal Star high school athlete of the week: Cooper Chester
