Vote for Journal Star girls athlete of the week for April 6-11, presented by CEFCU

After plenty of solid spring sports performers over the last week, here are the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week nominees for April 6-11, presented by CEFCU.

Head to www.pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes 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 @pjstarsports. Last week, Kendyl Binder of the Brimfield/Elmwood softball team was named JS girls athlete of the week.

Payton Swanson, Washington softball

The junior put together an all-around effort for the Panthers last week. In four games, she batted .417 (5-for-12) with two doubles, one home run and seven RBIs. She also scored six runs, walked three times and stole a base. Swanson hit a three-run homer as part of a four-run third inning during a 10-5 loss to Pekin on Thursday, April 9. She was a part of two double plays, while recording 11 putouts and committed just one error in 22 total chances.

Washington’s Payton Swanson puts a tag on Metamora’s Ashley Damerell at second base during their high school softball game Tuesday, April 7, 2026 in Metamora. The ball came out of the glove and Damerell was safe on the play. The Panthers defeated the Redbirds 11-9.

Kylie Smith, Morton track & field

The junior won two events at a big meet last week. Smith clocked in personal bests in both the 100 (12.63 seconds) and 200-meter (26.21 seconds) dashes at the Chuck Danner Coed Invitational on Saturday, April 11. Those times put her in the Class 2A top 20 for the season. Smith also was a member of the second-place 4x100-meter relay team (50.39 seconds) with Kenley Molton, Avery Striegel and Allison Evans. The Potters took fifth in the 18-team meet.

Makaylynne Correa, Canton softball/track & field

The senior was a two-sport standout last week. In softball, Correa batted .556 (5-for-9) with two home runs and four RBIs. Both of those dingers came in a 14-0 six-inning win over Galesburg on Friday, April 10. She hit a solo shot to lead off the third inning, then smacked a three-run homer in the fourth. Correa also won the shot put in a personal-best toss of 37 feet, 0.5 inches at the Chuck Danner Coed Invitational on April 11.

AJ Miller, Dunlap coop lacrosse

The senior went undefeated in three matches last week. Miller capped her week with nine saves on 11 shots on goal in a 14-2 win over Edwardsville on Saturday, April 11. She posted six saves as Dunlap held off Normal Community, 13-8 on Wednesday, April 8. Smith's week began on April 7 when her nine saves helped the Eagles to a 14-9 victory over Washington. Dunlap is 5-2 on the season, riding a three-game win streak with one match this week.

Madalyn Lardi, Galesburg soccer

The senior added to her goal total last week. On April 7, Lardi recorded a hat trick and assisted on another goal as Galesburg blanked Western Big 6 Conference foe Sterling, 7-0. That marked the forward/midfielder's third three-goal match in a row and fifth on the season. She then added one goal in a 7-2 nonconference loss to Pekin on April 9. Lardi has 21 goals on the season, giving her the fourth most in the state.

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: Vote for Peoria Journal Star girls athlete of the week for April 6-11