The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 35th ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continue 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 we have student-athletes who performed above and beyond on the diamond under pressure in tournament scenarios.
Female Athlete of the Week
Emily Weckesser
The Danville Lady Blue Devils’ softball mission was to win their seventh consecutive District title. Danville catcher Emily Weckesser made sure her team fulfilled that mission with a strong game offensively and defensively. Weckesser hit a monster home run to start a two-out, three-run second inning to break open a 1-1 ballgame. She also was hit by a pitch, stole second and third and scored an insurance run in the fifth. Behind the plate, Weckesser threw out two Fairfield runners who were attempting to steal.
Danville softball coach Charlie Duncan said Weckesser’s game was huge and inspirational. “Emily is a hard-nosed, hard-working player,” Duncan said. “She has been behind the plate every game, cold, rain or hot sun. Emily had a huge game in the District Championship game, which helped push our team to victory.”
Male Athlete of the Week
Grant Bentley
Northmor student-athlete Grant Bentley has been honored as Mount Vernon News Athlete of the Week before, for hitting a buzzer-beater in a basketball game in which he scored 29 points, and he hit another buzzer-winner in his next game. This time, Bentley gets recognition for another clutch performance, a one-hit shutout over West Jefferson in Northmor’s 4-1 win in the Division 3 Sectionals. Bentley needed only 89 pitches to complete seven innings, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out four.
At the plate, Bentley drove in the Golden Knights’ first run with a run-scoring ground out to tie the game at 1-1 in the first. His one-run single in the fourth padded the Knights’ lead to 4-1.
Bentley followed up with an eight-inning gem vs. Marion Pleasant in the Division 3 regionals (won by Northmor in 15 innings). Bentley also had three hits in the game.
Northmor baseball coach Buck Workman said Bentley is an athlete who thinks. “Grant in a very cerebral player and will play wherever we need him to play to help the team,” said Workman. “Grant is a phenomenal kid off the field. He is a 4.0-kid that is just always smiling and having fun with his teammates.“
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK Emily Weckesser and Grant Bentley, 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.
