SPRINGFIELD — The top high school athletes in Southwest Missouri are performing at a high level when it matters most. The end of the fall season is coming for some sports, and many athletes are peaking at the right moment.
It's now time to vote for the News-Leader's Athlete of the Week for Sept. 28-Oct. 3. Voting closes at noon Friday, Oct. 9. Here are the nominees.
If there is a player from the area who has made an impact, send nominees with stats to Liam Keating at lkeating@usatodayco.com or on X at @liamkeating7.
Chase Acosta, Ash Grove football
The Pirates are off to a 5-1 start and needed a big play down the stretch last week to keep their winning ways alive. The junior scored the game-winning touchdown from 10-yards away to take a 12-6 lead over Pierce City with five minutes
left in the game.
Katrina Cantrell, Fair Grove cross country
The senior distance runner defended home turf on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Cantrell won the Fair Grove Invitational with a time of 20:26. She won by over 40 seconds securing the big victory. This was Cantrell’s first 5,000 meter race victory this season.
Alexa Garbee, Billings volleyball
The Wildcats have dominated this season entering this week with an 18-2-1 record. Billings has peeled off eight straight wins. They have also won 16 of their last 17 matches, including wins over Verona, Galena and Marion C. Early. Garbee has been instrumental leading the team with 350 kills. In her career, Garbee has secured over 1,000 assists, 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.
Jett Lewis, Springfield Catholic football
The junior quarterback threw for 191 yards on 12-for-9 possessing. He tossed three crucial touchdowns in Catholic’s 39-27 win over Buffalo. Lewis also rushed for 21 yards as the Irish remain undefeated at 6-0.
Ryder Spickard, Glendale football
The sophomore quarterback spearheaded a huge comeback for the Falcons. Glendale trailed by 18 points to Lebanon at halftime. He looked comfortable throughout the game throwing for 453 yards on 34-for-46 passing. He tossed four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the team’s 49-38 win bringing the team back to .500.
Previous fall athlete of the week winners
Aug. 24-29: Alivia Arauz, Willard
Aug. 31-Sept. 5: Nolan Lashley, Republic
Sept. 7-12:Trevor Heman, Glendale
Sept. 14-19: Trenton Joplin, Kickapoo
Sept. 21-26: Trent Rosenthal, Marshfield
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Vote for Springfield area's high school Athlete of the Week for Sept. 28-Oct. 3
