Canton wrestler voted Peoria Journal Star athlete of the week
Canton wrestler Joe Norton was voted as the Journal Star athlete of the week.
Norton earned 324 of 751 votes, beating out Brimfield girls basketball player Ava Heinz (232 votes) and East Peoria boys basketball player Justin Page (86 votes).
In his 170-pound match, the senior recorded a 33-second pin to help give the Little Giants a Mid-Illini dual victory over Morton, 43-29 last Thursday. Norton, who went 40-2 and finished third in Class 1A last season, scored the fall over Brennen Bjorling.
More:Here are the top 15 high school wrestlers in the Peoria area for the 2022-23 season
The poll closed at noon Friday. Information about the nominees is below.
If you have a nominee for the honor, email us at sports@pjstar.com or tag us on Twitter @pjstarsports. Last week, Addy Engel of the Morton girls basketball team was named JS athlete of the week.
Malachi Persinger, Peoria Christian boys basketball
Persinger averaged 18.5 points in four games last week. His week started with 25 points and seven assists in an 81-60 win over Illinois Valley Central last Tuesday. He followed that up 17 points in a road loss to Putnam County on Thursday. The sophomore scored 22 points in Friday's 11-point win over ROWVA/Williamsfield. His 10 points against Bloomington Central Catholic on Saturday capped Peoria Christian's three games in three nights.
More:Is Metamora No. 1? Ranking the top 10 Illinois high school boys basketball teams around Peoria
Justin Page, East Peoria boys basketball
Page, a Cal Poly signee, scored 20 points in leading East Peoria to a 81-43 win over Limestone on Saturday night. The Manual transfer has EP at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Mid-Illini Conference play heading into Friday's road game against Canton.
More:Here are the Peoria area's top 10 high school boys basketball players for 2022-23
Ava Heinz, Brimfield girls basketball
Heinz had a big game on Saturday, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 64-60 road win over Annawan. The 6-foot sophomore posted another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in last Wednesday's loss to Dunlap. She started her week on Monday with 13 points during a 62-46 victory against Peoria Heights.
More:Who's No. 1? Ranking the top 12 Illinois high school girls basketball teams around Peoria
Claire McDougall, Washington girls basketball
Washington, which is ranked No. 5 statewide in Class 3A, beat Mid-Illini rival Metamora, 54-43 last Thursday thanks to McDougall. The senior went for 12 points, eight rebounds and seven steals to pace the Panthers (6-0, 1-0), who face Pekin on Tuesday.
More:Versatile Peoria High captain is the latest in this family's long basketball legacy
Isaiah Porritt, Pekin boys swimming
The junior was a four-event winner in Friday's dual meet at Galesburg. Porritt was an individual winner in the 100-yard freestyle (49.30 seconds) and the 100-yard backstroke (1:03.72). The junior then teamed with Kainan Buley, Tyler Buck and Lucas Glesne in the winning 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.04). He was also with that same trio in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:32.98) victory. The Silver Streaks ended up winning the nonconference bout, 120-66.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Vote for the best high school athlete in the Peoria area.
