DESIGN NOTES: Please bold each athlete's name on first reference and in the congratulatory paragraph.
This week FEMALE ATHLETE and MALE ATHLETE subheds are singular
And this week's Male athlete's photo choices are NOT good, but all we have. Please select the best one for your purposes.
The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 22nd ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continues the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields and courts of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week, a leader on both ends of the court helped her team take down a previously undefeated rival, and a player’s career night inspired his team to a blowout victory.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Last Saturday, Fredericktown welcomed previously unbeaten Tree of Life to town, and after a senior night celebration, took down the Lady Trojans in overtime, thanks to a determined game on both sides of the ball by senior Audrey Bouton. Bouton, who was Athlete of the Week on Oct. 9, 2021, for her volleyball skills, kept the Lady Freddies in the game in the first, scoring six of her team’s eight first-quarter points. Throughout the tight contest, Bouton led her team with grit, determination, energy and performance on both ends of the court.
Fredericktown coach Tim Maceyko said, “I would like to nominate Audrey Bouton for Athlete of the Week. If not for foul trouble causing lost playing time, her stats would have been even more impressive. Regardless, she was key in our beating previously undefeated Tree of Life on senior night. Audrey had her fourth double-double of the season in her limited time with 10 points and 12 rebounds, eight of which were offensive boards. She also added three assists, two steals, and garnered nine deflections, but her size and length gave the opposing team's offense trouble throughout the game.”
Maceyko continued, “Audrey is sometimes the unsung hero, but we would not be where we are without her. Whether it's defense, rebounding, or asking her to post up and look to score, she always gives everything she has. She has been a blessing to coach and I'm glad I got to know her as a person these last four years."
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
The Mount Gilead Indians have had some explosive high points this season, and on Feb. 5, they had one of those games in which everything went right, from the opening tip to a 30-point first quarter, to sustained effort, to a 37-point victory over Ridgedale. One player who stood out on this big night for Indians was junior Carter Kennon, who had a career night, excelling in all aspects of the game, with 27 points on 10-for-18 from the field, 3-for-5 from 3-point range, 4-for-6 at the foul line, 11 rebounds and four assists. Kennon scored five in the first as the Indians built a 30-14 lead and increased the advantage from there. Kennon added six more in the second, and then put 10 points on the board in the third and six more in the fourth to finish off his big night.
“Carter is definitely deserving (of this honor),” said Mount Gilead coach Dan Strasser. “Carter played the best game of his career. He has been working extremely hard, and he is starting to see the results. It's not just the points, but the efficiency and rebounding are fantastic. I couldn't be prouder of a great young man. He is a true leader for this team.”
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK, Audrey Bouton and Carter Kennon, and congratulations to all local athletes for solid efforts.
To all local schools: Send us your athlete nominations for next week and show them and the community how much they mean to their schools.
