Vote now: Who should be the WaFd Bank Washington High School Athlete of the Week (Sept. 11-Sept. 16)?
Here are the candidates for the WaFd Bank Washington High School Athlete of the Week for Sept. 11-Sept. 16 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting will conclude on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Monday, Sept. 25th. If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @sblivewa.
THIS WEEK’S WAFD BANK WASHINGTON ATHLETE OF THE WEEK NOMINEES:
Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.
WASHINGTON NOMINEES
Damian Aalona, Yelm football: Still undefeated as a starter, the senior had a career day against Central Kitsap - 22-of-27, 398 passing yards and five touchdowns - to open 3A SSC play.
Elijah Andersen, Woodland football: Sparked the Beavers' upset over 2A GSHL favorite Washougal wit his 84-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second quarter, finishing with 181 receiving yards, 152 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
Brison Bailey, Mount Tahoma football: The engine of the Thunderbirds' offense, Bailey - who missed all of 2022 with a foot injury - rushed for a season-high 177 yards and two touchdowns in a 3A PCL victory over Spanaway Lake.
Jason Brown Jr., O'Dea football: Seemingly every time he touches the ball, he scores. The state’s top tailback scored five touchdowns, all in the first half, and finished with 112 yards on 14 carries in a win over Rainier Beach.
Isaac Corey, Hermiston football: He continued his torrid start to 2023 - 25-of-33, 300 yards, three touchdowns in a win over Walla Walla -as one of the state's top passers (10 TD passes).
Alexis Griswold, East Valley of Spokane girls soccer: She was a goal-scoring machine, registering a hat trick in a win over Colville, and notching a pair of goals (and assists) in a win over Deer Park.
Zaveon Jones, Mountlake Terrace football: Another week, another big performance by the Hawks' preseason all-state running back - 265 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 3A Wesco win over Shorewood.
Gio Kafentzis, Emerald Ridge football: Senior had nine catches for 167 yards and three touchdowns, all while providing a mid-air acrobatics show of highlights in a 4A SPSL victory over Sumner.
Jack Kealoha, Klahowya football: Eagles are winning close games and are 3-0 - and this quarterback is a big reason why. He threw for 282 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winning score in overtime in a win over Tenino.
Ariana Medchill, Curtis girls volleyball: In a matchup of preseason top-three programs, Medchill was the standout (14 kills) in the team's four-set victory over No. 1 Lake Stevens. She also had 21 kills in a 4A SPSL loss against Olympia.
Rebecca O'Keefe, Skyline girls cross country: Recorded the state's fastest 5-kilometer time this fall - a personal-best 17 minutes, 22 seconds - with her victory at a 4A KingCo quad meet at Hartman Park.
Benji Parks, Gig Harbor football: THe started the annual "Fish Bowl" rivalry game against Peninsula at tight end - and finished at quarterback, rallying the Tides (208 passing yards, two TDs; rushing score) to their first win in a decade.
Rodrigo Rodriguez, Onalaska football: TYards are to be had in the Loggers' triple option - and Rodriguez is finding them. He had 212 yards, including first-quarter scores of 75 and 50 yards in a victory over Rainier.
Emalyn Shaffer, Tumwater girls soccer: One of the most dangerous playmakers in the state, Shaffer tallied four goals in the Thunderbirds' lopsided 2A EvCo victory over Black Hills.
Jake Tiryakioglu, Eastside Catholic football: The senior keeps on impressing in 3A Metro play. He passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, in the Crusaders' victory over Bishop Blanchet.
Luvens Valcin, Auburn football: Controlled both sides of the ball for the Trojans - five receptions for 81 yards and two touchdown (plus 50 rushing yards) on offense, and 41/2 sacks on defense - in a 3A NPSL win over Auburn Mountainview.
