Jaeleigh Decker of the Pekin softball team was voted the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week for April 20-25, presented by CEFCU.
Decker hit a go-ahead 11th-inning homer to help beat East Peoria, 3-2, on April 20. The catcher, who was 0-for-4 on the day with four strikeouts, stepped to the plate with two outs and Lily Towery on first base. Decker worked the count to 1-2 before belting a two-run shot over the left-field fence. This was the fourth one-run Mid-Illini Conference game Pekin has played in this season, posting a 3-1 record.
The poll closed at noon Friday. Information about the other 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, Schyer Meinders of the Brimfield/Elmwood softball team was named JS girls athlete of the week.
Cora Ellison, Illini Bluffs softball
Ellison belted three home runs and drove in eight RBIs in victories over Abingdon-Avon and Midwest Central. She hit two homers — a two-run in the second and a three-run in the third — as IB rolled to a 17-0, four-inning win over A-Town on Monday, April 20. Ellison also picked up the pitching win by scattering three hits and striking out eight. She then added a two-run homer to beat Midwest Central, 15-4, on April 21. In a three-inning relief appearance, Ellison struck out four and walked one to get the save.
Ava Alt, East Peoria track & field
The senior was a two-event winner last week. Alt won the sprints at the Dunlap Invite on Friday, April 24. She clocked in at 12.61 seconds in the 100-meter dash, then posted a 200-meter dash time of 26.07 seconds. She currently leads both events in the Peoria-area track and field honor roll. Alt also took third in the 400-meter dash (59.58 seconds).
Jessica Henderson, Tremont track & field
The freshman put together an impressive pair of wins last week. Henderson won the half-mile and mile at the Dunlap Invite. Her 1600-meter time was a personal best in 5:25.05 to win by over 17 seconds. Henderson also won the 800-meter run in 2:25.59. Both times are fast enough to crack the top 12 in the honor roll.
Addy Lovell, Peoria Christian soccer
The freshman was a goal-scoring machine last week. In three matches, Lovell scored five goals and assisted on three more as PCS went 3-0-0. Her week began with a hat trick and an assist to beat St. Bede, 9-0, on April 20. Lovell then added an assist in a 2-0 win against Canton on Thursday, April 23. She then concluded her run with two goals and an assist as the Chargers beat Manteno, 4-0, on April 24. Lovell has a team-high 16 goals.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pekin softball player voted Journal Star girls athlete of the week, presented by CEFCU