The Nannen & Harte Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week competition was fierce this week in Washington County.
Ella Bouwman, Trey Hill and Jaysie Garcia-Abalos all deserve their honors, but they had teammates — and in one case, a sibling — push them. They all pushed me to make some tough decisions, too.
Ella Bouwman, Fort Calhoun basketball: A day after her big brother scored 33 points during a 20-point win, the freshman guard pushed her team over the top in a tight one with 22. The little sister takes Athlete of the Week honors because the game was so close and because she tied a school record for made free throws in a game, going 15-for-18. I’m sure multiple-time Athlete of the Week Grayson is happy for his younger sibling, too.
Trey Hill, Arlington wrestling: Both Hill and Tanner Kyllo swept through and won their weight classes Saturday in Albion, but Hill had to one more match. The 113-pounder has been recognized here before, but he’s earned a second mention with a 5-0 tournament and a 32-5 season record.
Jaysie Garcia-Abalos, Blair wrestling: The Bears’ 145-pounder was far from her team’s only Eastern Midlands Conference champion from Saturday’s tournament, but no one has more victories on the girls squad this year. She is 25-10 going into districts.
Do me a favor and congratulate all five of the Washington County athletes mentioned here as well as the Blair girls wrestling team — the EMC champs — as a whole for their efforts. That and, as always, thanks for reading.
