Winners of The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week (Oct. 21 to 26)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week for contests played between Oct. 21 to 26. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winners are:
Andrew Asaeli, Mount Tahoma football and Taylor Mentink, Sumner soccer
Asaeli, a junior defensive tackle, tallied three sacks in a 55-7 win over Silas. Mentink, a senior defender, guided the Spartans in a shutout of Rogers, adding an assist in Sumner’s 5-0 win.
You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: If you are not seeing the poll at the bottom of the story, try opening the story in a different browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes emailed will not be counted.
Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
FOOTBALL
Devon Addison, Mount Tahoma — RB/DB took seven carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns in 55-7 win over Silas.
Bryson Allen, Franklin Pierce — Cardinals RB/LB rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on just four carries in a runaway win at Clover Park, adding eight tackles (0.5 TFL) on defense.
Brock Armstrong, Orting — Cardinals RB took 14 carries for 107 yards, adding a 20-yard catch (127 scrimmage yards) in big win over Washington.
Andrew Asaeli, Mount Tahoma — Junior DT tallied three sacks in 55-7 win over Silas.
Jalen Boone, Lakes — Senior WR/DB was everywhere in a 38-7 win at Capital. Tallied two interceptions, four tackles, and a pass deflection on defense, adding a 35-yard touchdown catch from QB Willie Nash.
Rashard Boone, Rogers — Rams QB dazzled at South Kitsap with six total touchdowns, completing 27-of-34 passes for 424 yards, four passing touchdowns, and no interceptions in a 76-51 shootout win. Added two rush touchdowns on the ground, guiding Rogers to their first 4A SPSL win since 2021.
Kyson Douglas, Puyallup — Vikings RB took 21 carries for 122 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 16-yard catch in 49-35 win vs. Curtis.
Baylen Erdmann, Auburn — Trojans QB completed 24-of-37 passes and exploded for 429 passing yards and six touchdowns, both school records in a 61-14 win over Mount Rainier.
Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin — Eagles TE caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown in win over Spanaway Lake.
Ryland Geldermann, Gig Harbor — Tides RB exploded for 195 yards and two touchdowns on his 17th birthday, guiding Gig Harbor over Bellarmine Prep, 28-26.
Zach Gemar, Orting — Cardinals QB completed 6-of-9 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in big win over Washington.
Gabe Gomez, Bellarmine Prep — Caught 12 passes for 225 yards and a pair of touchdowns in loss to Gig Harbor.
Kyien Hamilton, Kennedy Catholic — Lancers WR made the most of two touches, scoring on a 25-yard pass from QB Devon Forehand and again on a 13-yard run in big win over Kentridge.
Vann Hannukaine, Tumwater — T-Birds DL tackled seven (2 TFL) with two sacks in 52-0 road win at W.F. West.
Xavier Harris, Mount Tahoma — Sophomore WR caught three passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns in 55-7 win over Silas.
Keshawn Hines, Mount Tahoma — Physical RB took six carries for 89 yards and a touchdown (14.8 YPC) in big win over Silas.
Indiana Jones, Kennedy Catholic — Lancers RB handled seven carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 15-yard catch in 56-0 win over Kentridge.
Sione Kaho, Lincoln — Abes QB guided Lincoln to the 3A PSL Narrows title, completing 16-of-22 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) in a 34-19 win over Central Kitsap.
Jaden Kiblinger, Rogers — Rams WR secured 10 receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns in shootout win at South Kitsap.
Drew Macdonald, Steilacoom — Sentinels QB completed 26-of-34 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns, carving Eatonville in 42-0 win.
Austin Mazzone, Steilacoom — Sentinels WR and Macdonald’s top target secured 10 receptions for 163 yards in big win over Eatonville.
Carson McCall, Orting — Cardinals RB took nine carries for 92 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard reception through the air in 41-7 win over Washington.
Exavier McChristian, Lakes — Senior WR/DB tackled six with a pass deflection and tackle for loss, adding a 21-yard catch on offense in road win at Capital.
Toetu Moliga, Lakes — Workhorse RB handled a team-high 15 carries for 115 yards in 38-7 win at Capital.
Parker Myers, Yelm — Tornados QB completed 13-of-22 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in 36-13 win over Olympia.
Willie Nash, Lakes — Lancers QB completed 9-of-15 passes for 180 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in road win at Capital.
Jordan Noel, Kennedy Catholic — Lancers WR caught one pass for a nine-yard touchdown and returned a first-quarter punt 72 yards for another score in 56-0 win over Kentridge.
Jaylin Nixon, Tumwater — Lead RB erupted for 190 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries in 52-0 win over rival W.F. West.
Ean Owens, Lakes — Lancers WR erupted for 143 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on just seven touches in 38-7 win at Capital. Secured four receptions for 82 yards and a 54-yard touchdown catch, adding three carries for 61 yards and a 41-yard touchdown on the ground.
Luke Parker, Puyallup — Vikings QB completed 10-of-13 passes for 152 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in 49-35 win over Curtis, securing a 4A playoff berth.
Blake Pearson, Graham-Kapowsin — Bellcow RB handled 28 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown in 24-19 win over Spanaway Lake.
Jashaun Pena, Orting — Senior T/DE tackled seven (2 TFL) with two sacks in 41-7 win over Washington.
Fernando Reyes, Enumclaw — Senior OL/DL tallied six tackles, a sack and had a 1-yard touchdown run in 27-0 non-league win over Life Christian.
Xander Shaw, Steilacoom — Two-way DE/TE tackled seven (3 TFL), adding two catches for 12 yards and a touchdown on offense in big win over Eatonville.
Cash Short, Tumwater — Two-way LB/RB tackled eight with two tackles for loss, adding 91 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries in rout of W.F. West.
Darius Sum, Stadium — Tigers RB went for 107 yards and a touchdown in the first half of Thursday’s 26-14 win over Auburn Riverside.
Josiah Taijeron, Rogers — Rams RB erupted for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in 76-51 win over South Kitsap.
Junior Teregeyo, Franklin Pierce — Senior RB/LB tallied 165 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns (including a 68-yard touchdown catch), adding eight tackles (2.5 TFL) on defense in a rout at Clover Park.
Beckett Wall, Tumwater — T-Birds LB tackled nine with two tackles for loss in 52-0 win at W.F. West.
Eli Weir, Annie Wright — Sophomore quarterback completed 15-of-23 passes for 282 yards and five touchdowns in 46-0 win over Lynnwood on Friday. Also rushed five times for 59 yards.
Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, Auburn — Trojans WR erupted with 10 receptions for 257 yards and four touchdowns in Auburn’s big win over Mount Rainier, becoming the first wideout in school history to notch a 1,000-yard receiving season.
Maurice Williams, Yelm — Tornados CB intercepted Olympia twice in 36-13 win.
Jayden Woodland, Puyallup — Vikings WR excelled with 93 yards and three touchdowns on five catches in 49-35 win vs. Curtis. Also had a pick six on defense.
FALL SPORTS
Nina Blavka, Auburn Mountainview — Won Saturday’s 3A NPSL championship, completing the 5,000-meter run in 18:23.7 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.
Cooper Boyle, Tahoma — Won Saturday’s 4A NPSL championship with a 5,000-meter time of 16:02.3 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.
Lejla Carlsson, Gig Harbor — Tides runner finished runner-up at Saturday’s 3A PSL championship, finishing the 5K in 18:08.8. It’s the 26th-best personal mark among girls cross country statewide.
Julia Couch, Auburn Riverside — Won Saturday’s 4A NPSL championship with a 5,000-meter time of 18:22.7 at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Layne Dent, Cascade Christian volleyball — In three wins over Charles Wright, Annie Wright, and Cedar Park Christian, Dent tallied 56 combined kills, 10 aces, 25 digs, and three blocks.
Michael Marlow, White River cross country — Won Saturday’s 3A NPSL championship with a 5,000-meter time of 16:51.0 at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Taylor Mentink, Sumner soccer — Senior defender guided Spartans in shutout of Rogers, adding an assist in 5-0 win.
Taylor Sletner, Gig Harbor — Tides runner won Saturday’s 3A PSL championship, completing the 5,000-meter run in 17:54.9 at Fort Steilacoom Park.
This story was originally published October 28, 2024 at 12:12 PM.
