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Mishawaka's Beau Brabender wins South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll for Dec. 25-31

austin hough, south bend tribune
·2 min read

Much like how he dominated at the Al Smith Classic, Mishawaka senior wrestler Beau Brabender dominated this week's South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll, receiving an overwhelming majority of the vote to win for the final week of calendar year 2023.

Here's a look at why Brabender received a large portion of the vote, as well as the other nominees from this week.

WINNER: Mishawaka wrestling senior Beau Brabender

Mishawaka senior Beau Brabender looks toward the clock while controlling his opponent, Warren Central's Anthony Cashman, during a semifinal contest in the 157-pound weight class at the Al Smith Classic Wrestling Invitational Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Mishawaka High School.
Mishawaka senior Beau Brabender looks toward the clock while controlling his opponent, Warren Central's Anthony Cashman, during a semifinal contest in the 157-pound weight class at the Al Smith Classic Wrestling Invitational Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Mishawaka High School.

Brabender continued his sensational senior season by winning the 157-pound championship at the prestigious Al Smith Classic this weekend, going 5-0 in the tournament to run his record to 24-0 overall on the season.

OTHER NOMINEES

Bethany Christian girls basketball senior Zoe Willems

Willems had two triple-doubles in one day Friday, recording 25 points/13 rebounds/10 steals against Hamilton and 22 points/10 rebounds/10 steals against Granger Christian. She then had 13 points/8 rebounds/nine assists against DeMotte Christian on Saturday, helping the Bruins win the Cougar Classic tournament.

Marquette Catholic girls basketball sophomore Laniah Davis

Davis scored a combined 86 points across four games at the Lake Central Holiday Classic this week, including a career-high 31 points in a 65-39 win over New Haven in the championship game Friday.

Northridge boys basketball junior Kam Radeker

Radeker was named the Most Outstanding Player of the LaPorte Holiday tournament. He hit the game-winning '3' to beat Bishop Luers in the first round Thursday, scored 12 points in a semifinal win over Hanover Central and had a team-high 18 points in the championship game win over the host Slicers.

Northridge girls basketball junior Rielyn Goodwin

Another Raider who had a strong week, Goodwin led the Raiders in scoring in three of its four games during their home holiday tournament, capped off with a 23-point, six-assist, six-steal performance in a 74-51 win over Merrillville in the championship game Saturday.

South Bend Saint Joseph boys basketball junior Chase Konieczny

Konieczny had a strong performance at the Homestead Invitational, averaging 18.4 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 assists across four games. Highlights included scoring 39 points against Zionsville, plus making two 70-foot shots, one against Zionsville and another against Homestead.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Mishawaka's Beau Brabender wins South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week