Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Dec. 6-12

Published 1:30 am Monday, December 13, 2021

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Dec. 6-12. Voting closes at midnight Sunday. The winner will be announced with the next poll and in next Tuesday’s paper. Each weekly winner will be included in an Athlete of the Month poll.

Last week’s winner

Sylas Williams | Jackson | Boys Basketball

Williams, a junior, poured in 23 points and pulled down 22 rebounds in the Timberwolves’ 54-42 victory over Meadowdale on Dec. 3. He recorded another double-double the following day with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a 79-70 win over Burlington-Edison. He won The Herald’s Athlete of the Week for Nov. 30-Dec. 5 by claiming 638 (35.3%) of 1,808 votes.

This week’s nominees

Aksel Espeland | Darrington | Boys Wrestling

Espeland, a junior, won the 120-pound title at Battle at the Border tournament in Blaine on Dec. 10-11. He went 4-0 in the tournament with three victories via pinfall and one by decision.

Ben Gmyrek | Glacier Peak | Boys Swim and Dive

Gmyrek, a senior, posted the top diving scores at a pair of three-team meets last week. He delivered a winning score of 169.55 in a meet with Snohomish and Stanwood on Dec. 7 and a top score of 162.0 in a meet with Snohomish and Cascade on Dec. 9.

Ethan Martin | Arlington | Boys Basketball

Martin, a senior, poured in 31 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles pulled away for a 70-55 win over Mountlake Terrace on Dec. 10.

Naser Motley | Mariner | Boys Basketball

Motley, a senior, netted a game-high 27 points as the Marauders topped Edmonds-Woodway 72-58 on Dec. 7. He also led Mariner with 16 points in a 62-48 win over Cedar Park Christian on Dec. 9.

Rachel Te | Shorewood | Girls Basketball

Te, a junior, posted a game-high 23 points as the Thunderbirds beat Mariner 57-40 for their first win of the season on Dec. 10.

Jenna Villa | Arlington | Girls Basketball

Villa, a junior, broke a school record with 10 3-pointers on her way to 34 points in a 65-23 victory over Mountlake Terrace on Dec. 9. She also netted 15 points in Arlington’s 59-41 win over Lake Washington on Dec. 6.

Alivia White | Marysville Pilchuck | Girls Wrestling

White, a junior, won four straight matches by pinfall on her way to the 190-pound title at the Everett Girls invite on Dec. 11. White scored pins in less 1 minute three times, including a 27-second victory in the title bout.

Note: The Herald’s Athlete of the Week nominees are chosen based off stats reported to the newspaper, recommendations from coaches and first-hand observations. Stats from games and recommendations for nominees can be sent to sports@heraldnet.com.