Winners of The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week (Oct. 28 to Nov. 2)
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week for contests played between Oct. 28 and Nov. 2. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
This week’s winners are:
Zeke Isaacson, Franklin Pierce football and Mealani Salema, Bellarmine soccer
Isaacson, a Cardinals linebacker, posted a monster game with 16 tackles (4 TFL) and 0.5 sacks in a 52-7 win over rival-Washington. Salema scored a goal against Central Kitsap on Tuesday and notched three assists in upset win over Decatur on Saturday to advance Lions to the 3A district semifinals and secure a state tournament berth.
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
Jayden Benson, Sumner — Had two interceptions in Sumner’s 4A SPSL title win over Graham-Kapowsin.
RJ Conlan, Auburn — Trojans workhorse took 27 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns in Auburn’s 21-20 rivalry win over Auburn Riverside.
Jonny Comoza, Mount Tahoma — T-Birds RB erupted for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, including an 86-yard touchdown run in Mount Tahoma’s overtime win over Lakes.
Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma — The WR’s game-winning, 14-yard touchdown catch in overtime lifted the T-Birds over undefeated-Lakes in a thriller at Harry Lang Stadium, 40-37. Two-way CB intercepted the Lancers in the first half.
Dominique Ervin, Lincoln — Abes RB/LB handled 13 carries for 120 yards in Lincoln’s road win at Peninsula.
Cole Fowler, Eatonville — Completed 26-of-44 passes for 341 yards and five touchdowns in loss to Orting.
Maurice Gosby, Lincoln — Abes RB exploded for 131 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in Lincoln’s 32-21 win over Peninsula.
Shaun Griffith, Sumner — Racked up nine tackles, including two sacks and a tackle for loss, in 4A SPSL title win over Graham-Kapowsin.
Steele Isaacs, Sumner — Senior RB ran for all three Spartans touchdowns, lifting Sumner to the 4A SPSL title over Graham-Kapowsin, 23-11.
Zeke Isaacson, Franklin Pierce — Cardinals LB posted a monster game with 16 tackles (4 TFL) and 0.5 sacks in big win over rival-Washington.
Elijah Kim, Olympia — The Bears RB’s two touchdowns lifted Olympia over Bethel in Tuesday’s Kansas-style 4A SPSL tiebreaker and into the 4A playoffs.
Antoine Lee, Kentwood — Rushed 13 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns and had three catches for 63 yards in 42-0 win over Kentridge. Broke the school record for TDs in a season with 25. It was previously held by Richard Thomas and had stood since 1990.
Brady Liston, Bonney Lake — Senior safety had two interceptions, forced a fumble and had a clutch fourth down reception in 28-22 win over Rogers.
Noah Maxwell, Steilacoom — What didn’t he do? The sophomore FS/WR was Steilacoom’s leading tackler and receiver, logging a season-high 14 tackles (1 TFL) with a game-high six receptions for 69 yards in a 30-27 loss to Fife. Added seven carries for 20 rushing yards and returned three kickoffs for 143 yards — including a 91-yard touchdown.
Carson McCall, Orting — Cardinals RB took 13 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns, adding two receptions for 28 yards and another score through the air in Orting’s 61-36 win over Eatonville. Added four tackles on defense.
Ky Nation, Eatonville — Caught eight passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns in loss to Orting.
Austin Mazzone, Steilacoom — Sentinels WR took three receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns in 30-27 loss to Fife.
Luke Parker, Puyallup — Vikings QB completed 9-of-17 passes for 186 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in 28-17 win over Yelm, adding seven carries for 78 yards and another score (four total) on the ground.
Michael Pulalasi, Lakes — Lancers LB/RB tackled seven (1 TFL) and took four short-yardage carries for nine yards and two touchdowns in 40-37 loss to Mount Tahoma.
Mekhi Richardson, Tumwater — T-Birds DE stomped Centralia on a night Tumwater’s defense allowed just 19 total yards. Richardson tackled six (one for loss), scooped a fumble for a touchdown, adding a sack and batted pass in 49-0 win.
Slavik Shemedyuk, Fife — All-purpose junior paced Fife with 119 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, adding two receptions for 33 yards in 30-27 win over Steilacoom.
Vadym Shemedyuk, Fife — Senior RB handled a game-high 17 carries for 99 yards and two rushing touchdowns in Fife’s 30-27 win over Steilacoom.
Junior Teregeyo, Franklin Pierce — Cardinals RB/LB handled eight carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, adding eight tackles (4 TFL) with 2.5 sacks in Franklin Pierce’s 52-7 win over Washington.
Dominic Thomas, Orting — Cardinals RB returned five kickoffs for 261 all-purpose yards and a touchdown (85 long) in big win over Eatonville.
Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes, Auburn — Trojans WR grabbed 17 receptions for 218 yards, adding three carries for 10 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s 21-20 win over Auburn Riverside.
Jayden Woodland, Puyallup — Vikings WR caught two passes for 104 yards and a 93-yard receiving touchdown, adding seven tackles on defense in 28-17 win over Yelm.
FALL SPORTS
Cooper Boyle, Tahoma cross country — Won Saturday’s District ¾ Westside Classic (4A Men’s) at Chambers Creek (5,000 meters) in 15:13.8.
Will Carroll, Annie Wright cross country — Won Saturday’s District ¾ Westside Classic (1A Men’s) at Chambers Creek (5,000 meters) in 16:00.0.
Alyce Chappelle, Rogers soccer — The senior forward’s two goals lifted the Rams over Puyallup in Tuesday’s rivalry at Sparks Stadium, 2-1.
Jax Corvin, Lakes cross country — Won Saturday’s District ¾ Westside Classic (3A Men’s) at Chambers Creek (5,000 meters) in 16:03.2.
Layne Dent, Cascade Christian volleyball — The South Sound’s kills leader tallied 28 total kills in wins over Klahowya and Bellevue Christian. In two games, added 12 aces, five blocks, and 18 digs.
Elektra Higgins, Peninsula cross country — Won Saturday’s District ¾ Westside Classic (3A Women’s) at Chambers Creek (5,000 meters) in 17:48.6.
Olivia Lopez, Sumner soccer — Scored Sumner’s lone goal, the game winner, in 1-0 win over Camas on Saturday to clinch a spot in the 4A state tournament and the district semifinals. Assisted by Khloe Mahaffey.
Sophia Mayne, Curtis soccer — Scored a hat trick (three goals) and had an assist in 5-0 win over Yelm on Tuesday and scored a goal in Curtis’ 2-0 win over Stadium to clinch a spot in the 4A state tournament and the district semifinals. Assisted by Liv Lorella.
Hoku Mose, Curtis soccer — Scored a goal in Curtis’ 2-0 win over Stadium to clinch a spot in the 4A state tournament and the district semifinals. Also assisted by Liv Lorella.
Mealani Salema, Bellarmine soccer — Scored a goal against Central Kitsap on Tuesday and notched three assists in upset win over Decatur on Saturday to advance Lions to the 3A district semifinals and secure a state tournament berth.
Emalyn Shaffer, Tumwater soccer — Scored four goals in 5-0 win over Centralia on Tuesday.
Latham West, Bonney Lake cross country — Won Saturday’s District 3-4 Westside Classic (4A Women’s) at Chambers Creek (5,000 meters) in 18:11.4.
This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 12:42 PM.
