Voters came out in droves for the first Athlete of the Week segment of the 2023-24 schoolyear, with over 5,500 readers checking out the incredible performances in the last week.
Taking the top spot and earning the title of OnFocus Athlete of the Week, August 13 – August 19 was Landon Bates of Rhinelander Football, collecting 395 votes.
Finishing a close second was Ethan Cowart of Pacelli Football with 379 votes.
Third place was earned by Dawson Luther of Pittsville Football, who picked up 209 votes.
OnFocus Athlete of the Week, August 13 – August 19
- Landon Bates, Rhinelander Football – Rhinelander stormed back from a 21-0 halftime deficit, and it was Bates’ 19 yard field goal with three seconds remaining that produced a thrilling 22-21 win over Tomahawk to open the season.
- Dawson Luther, Pittsville Football – Luther rushed for 153 yards and scored four touchdowns as Pittsville opened the 2023 season with a 36-14 win over Augusta.
- Manny Schultz/JT Schaefer, Assumption Football – Schultz and Schaefer each collect four rushing touchdowns in the Royals’ season-opening 69-0 thumping of Necedah.
- Lauren Belsky, Merrill Girls Tennis (nominated online) – In a grueling day of tennis, Belsky came through in the day’s final match, collecting a 6-1, 6-0 decision in her match over Ashland’s Lily Kovach-Erickson at number 1 doubles.
- Ethan Cowart, Pacelli Football – Cowart rushed for 242 yards on 26 carries and had four rushing touchdowns to lead the Pacelli Cardinals to a 56-18 thumping of Catholic Central in the 2023 season opener.
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Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
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Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
