Coldwater's VanAken voted as TDR Athlete of the Week
The 2023 spring sports season here in Branch County is in full swing and with the warmer weather comes a sports season spent outdoors, with sports such as baseball, soccer, softball, tennis, track and golf. With only a few weeks gone in our new sports season it has come time to revisit our weekly The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week poll, a poll designed specifically to allow you, the readers, to decide who should be honored for their work last week on the field of play.
So, without further ado, The Daily Reporter is proud to present to you the first spring sports Athlete of the Week as sponsored by ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Omega Physical Therapy, and Coldwater Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Coldwater softball’s Rylie VanAken. VanAken finished in first place with more than double the votes of the second place honoree, showcasing just what kind of impact the rookie has made in her first week on the diamond.
Click the link below to view the Athlete of the Week poll and site.
VanAken, just a freshman, finished off a tremendous first week on the diamond for the Cardinals where she starts in the infield while batting near the heart of a very potent lineup. In her very first week at the varsity level VanAken finished batting an astounding .700 at the plate, going 7 for 10 with a total of three singles, two doubles, one triple and one home run with four RBIs and five runs scored. VanAken has also shown her worth in the field, holding down one of the two middle infield spots each time the Cardinals take the field. VanAken has already proven to be a valuable piece to a dynamic Coldwater softball team and should find her name in the running for Athlete of the Week many times this spring.
Finishing in second place in this week’s voting for Athlete of the Week is Bronson sophomore Boston Bucklin who stars for the Viking track and field team. In his first week of the season Bucklin finished in first place in the 400-meter dash at the 49th annual Warrior Invite while also taking second place in the high jump. Bucklin was also a key member of the gold medal winning 800-meter relay team. Bucklin will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with this season for Bronson track as the season progresses.
Also earning votes for this week’s, The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week were Union City baseball’s Ryan Zweng; Coldwater baseball’s Brady Massey; and Quincy track’s Sophia Snellenberger.
Congratulations goes out to Coldwater freshman Rylie VanAken, this week’s The Daily Reporter Athlete of the Week as sponsored by ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Omega Physical Therapy, and Coldwater Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater's VanAken voted as TDR Athlete of the Week
