Marion County's Athlete of the Week poll returns: Vote for area's top performer
We scoured the scorebooks for the top fall sport performers across Marion County so you don't have to.
Forest athletes lead the way in Marion County's second athlete of the week poll. The Wildcats have three student-athletes competing for the reward. A North Marion football player and Trinity Catholic volleyball player round out the top 5 performers of September 12th-17th.
Don't forget to cast your votes. You can vote once per hour. Please share the poll on social media so friends and family can get in on the action. Voting will close Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
Five questions: Five questions with Forest quarterback Vimel Poole Jr.
First win for Forest: Marion County high school football: Quarterback leads Forest to first win of the season
AJ Cussins, Football, North Marion
Stats: 243 yards passing, 4 TD passes, 50% completion rate
Cussins carved up Santa Fe's defense in a 40-6 win. He connected with four different receivers for his four touchdown passes. The Colts are 4-0 overall and 3-0 with Cussins under center.
Vimel Poole Jr., Football, Forest
Stats: 308 yards, 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TDs, 54% completion rate
Poole Jr. delivered the Wildcats' first victory of the season with his arm and legs. He threw a 67-yard bomb to highlight one of the most effective passing games of any Marion County quarterback this season.
Kiana Laborde, Volleyball, Trinity Catholic
Stats: 39 kills, 1 assist, 21 digs, 2 service aces, 33 receives
The Celtics went 2-0 last week behind double-digit kills from Laborde in both games. The senior played a well-rounded game keeping rallies alive on the defensive side.
Tae Floyd, Football, Forest
Stats: 9 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 fumbles caused, 3 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 1 rush TD, 2 QB hurries
Floyd was the heart of the Wildcat defense. He harassed the quarterback, forced turnovers, and scored a touchdown.
Ryan Elfring, Cross Country, Forest
Stats: Top 5 finish at Wildwood Open, 18:10
Elfring ran his second best time of the season on Saturday. The time was good enough for fourth place at the meet and the best finish in the county.
WHO DID WE MISS? Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to nominate student-athletes for Athlete of the Week. Please send names and statistics to apettigrew@gannett.com by Sunday evening to be considered.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County Athlete of the Week poll September 12-17, 2022
