Voting for the *South Bend Tribune* Athlete of the Week poll is open from April 28 to May 2, with no restrictions. The poll closes on May 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Key points
Voting is open for the Athlete of the Week poll.
Poll runs from April 28 to May 2, 2023.
No voting restrictions are in place.
Poll closes on May 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
20 nominees from 17 schools in five sports.
Mentioned in this story
South Bend Tribune
Hudson Aalfs
Voting is now open for the April 28-May 2 South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll. There are no voting restrictions, and the poll will be open until Thursday, May 7 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Below is a list of the 20 nominees from 17 different South Bend Tribune coverage area schools, competing in five different sports. The nominees are listed in alphabetical order, first by school then by sport name then by first name.
Hudson Aalfs, Brandywine baseball
The sophomore did it all in a five-inning, 11-1 win vs. Berrien Springs April 28, throwing a complete game with just three hits, one earned run and one walk allowed with eight strikeouts, while also going 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs.
Zack Rouch, Bremen baseball
The senior Spalding University commit went 8-for-12 with seven RBIs and four extra base hits as the Lions won all four of their games last week.
Ari Johnson, Buchanan baseball
The senior had eight hits, eight runs, nine RBIs, five walks, a double and a stolen base as the Bucks won three games last week.
Joey Hauger, Concord baseball
The senior threw a complete game shutout vs. Goshen April 29, allowing just six hits and two walks while striking out five batters. The Minutemen won 4-0 and are 8-3 overall.
Jaxon Rinehart, Edwardsburg baseball
The sophomore had six runs, six hits, six RBIs, two doubles, three stolen bases and a triple as the Eddies went 4-1 last week.
Ava Sanders, Elkhart softball
The senior earned pitching wins in NIC victories over SB St. Joe 7-0 and 6-2 as the Lions stayed undefeated in league play. Sanders also had two hits and two RBIs in the 7-0 win and two hits and two RBIs in a 9-4 win over Jimtown.
Brayden Benwell, Glenn baseball
The senior had six hits, five RBIs, seven runs, six stolen bases, two walks and a double as the Falcons went 4-0 last week.
Braxton Cline, Goshen baseball
The senior had nine hits, eight RBIs, three runs and a triple in four games last week.
Q&A
What are the dates for the South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll?
The poll is open from April 28 to May 2, 2023.
How can I vote in the South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll?
Voting is open to everyone with no restrictions and can be done through the South Bend Tribune's platform.
When does the South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week poll close?
The poll closes on May 7, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Who are the nominees for the South Bend Tribune Athlete of the Week?
There are 20 nominees from 17 different schools competing in five sports, including Hudson Aalfs from Brandywine baseball.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Landon Johns, Mishawaka baseball
The senior pitched a complete game shutout vs. NorthWood April 29, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out nine batters.
Lilly Hein, Mishawaka softball
The freshman had five RBIs in a 15-6 NLC win over Northridge as Mishawaka improved to 6-0 in conference play. Hein also had three RBIs in a 10-8 loss to Class 4A No. 6 Fort Wayne Carroll in the Cavemen vs. Cancer Classic May 2. She had two doubles and three runs scored in the two games.
Reed Robinson, New Prairie baseball
The senior Northern Illinois University commit had six hits, five runs, five RBIs, three stolen bases, a walk, a home run and a double as the Cougars went 3-0 last week.
Willow Staley, Northridge softball
The junior had two triples and a single in an 8-7 win over Bremen and a double and a triple in an 8-6 win over Columbia City May 2.
Finley Miller, NorthWood baseball
The junior had eight hits, five RBIs, four runs, three walks and two stolen bases last week. He also pitched a complete game in a 3-2 win vs. Warsaw April 28, allowing seven hits, three walks and two earned runs with 11 strikeouts.
Easton Masten, Penn softball
The sophomore smashed a pair of homers and had five RBIs as Penn topped South Bend Adams 11-0 in five innings and 9-1 to stay undefeated in NIC play.
Penn tennis team
Led by sophomore Olivia Wu (1), junior Samantha Pischalko (2) and junior Gabby Roland (3) at singles, with junior Hayden Streigel and junior Ava Lightburn (1) & senior Mary Kirleis and senior Amina Spahic (2) at doubles, the No. 9 Kingsmen won a pair of three-set matches to top No. 10 SB St. Joe 3-2 April 30. Penn also beat No. 8 Jasper 3-2 and No. 16 Columbus North 3-2 May 2 with a 4-1 loss to No. 26 Avon when a pair of players were unable to play due to academic commitments.
Vivy Miller, Plymouth track & field
The junior set the school record in the 3,200-meter run as part of the 3,200-meter relay at the Princess Relays. Miller's time of 11:02.87 broke the previous mark by 13 seconds.
Jaidyn Kimbrough, South Bend Adams track & field
The sophomore won all three of her races at the South Bend City Meet, including the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, as well as the 4x100m relay, helping the Eagles girls win the meet.
Bradford Washington, South Bend Riley boys volleyball
The junior combined for 50 kills in three matches, as the Wildcats beat La Porte, South Bend Saint Joseph and Michigan City last week.
Coco Burfien, South Bend Saint Joseph tennis
The sophomore was 4-1 last week for her No. 10 Huskies squad, winning at No. 2 singles versus No. 9 Penn, No. 25 Culver Academies, No. 20 Zionsville and No. 12 Brownsburg with a just a loss to No. 1 Guerin Catholic.
Matt Champlin, South Bend Saint Joseph track & field
The junior broke the Huskiesâ pole vault record at the South Bend City Meet with a 14-05, helping the Saint Joseph boys win the meet.
