N※N

Daily Advertiser Announces 2025-2026 Athlete of the Week Candidates for Dec. 15-21

85

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. thlete-of-the-week-candidates-for-dec-15-21.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 4:52 GMT by The Daily Advertiser

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-22 242 x 208 / 11002 Bytes

2025-12-22 179 x 224 / 10740 Bytes

2025-12-22 223 x 224 / 7385 Bytes

2025-12-22 225 x 224 / 14296 Bytes

The Daily Advertiser Announces the 2025–2026 Athlete of the Week Candidates for Dec. 15–21

The Daily Advertiser has opened its online voting for the weekly “Athlete of the Week” award that honors a standout high‑school athlete from the Greater Madison region. The current season’s voting window runs from December 15 through December 21, 2025, and the winning athlete will receive a feature in the paper’s next issue as well as a framed “Athlete of the Week” plaque. The article on the newspaper’s website, titled “Vote Now for the Daily Advertiser Athlete of the Week Dec 15‑21,” provides a rundown of the nominees, the voting process, and a brief history of the award.

1. The Award’s Purpose and History

The award was launched in 2021 as a way to spotlight the hard work and sportsmanship of local high‑school athletes. “We wanted to give our community a chance to recognize and celebrate the talent that’s developing right in front of our eyes,” says the paper’s editor, Sarah Klein. Since its inception, the award has grown in popularity, with more than 1,500 votes cast in 2023 alone. The award is judged not only on on‑field performance but also on leadership, academic standing, and community involvement.

2. How to Vote

Voting is done electronically through a simple poll embedded on the Daily Advertiser website. Readers can click the “Vote Now” button on the article page, select one of the eight candidates, and submit. Votes are counted by a third‑party polling service that ensures no single user can cast more than one vote per account. The poll will close at 11:59 p.m. on December 21, and the winner will be announced the following Monday in a front‑page spotlight.

For those who prefer to support the nominees in other ways, the article includes a “Share on Social Media” button that encourages readers to tweet or post about their favorite athlete. This has proven effective at increasing engagement and broadening the reach of the award.

3. The Nominees

Below is a summarized overview of each nominee, based on the information provided in the article and the links to their individual school or league profiles that were followed for additional context:

Note: The link names are derived from the URLs found in the article’s footnotes; the actual URLs may differ slightly.

4. Highlights from Each Candidate’s Season

• Aiden Reyes has been a pivotal figure in Madison Central’s soccer program, taking over the midfield role after a mid‑season injury to the team’s senior. His leadership on the field has helped keep the squad competitive in a highly contested district. According to his coach, Reyes has a “composure beyond his years” and a knack for finding teammates in tight spaces.

• Maya Patel’s performance this season has earned her a spot on the national all‑comers list, a rare achievement for a high‑school sprinter in Wisconsin. She also led her relay team to a state championship, breaking the school record by a full second.

• Jared Kim has improved his three‑point shooting percentage by 7% since last year, turning him into a reliable perimeter threat. He also took on a leadership role during the team’s playoff run, guiding younger players through the high‑pressure environment.

• Lena Chen’s 2.5 kills per set averages him on the high end of state statistics, placing him in the top five across the entire region. Off the court, she volunteers at the local food bank, a fact that her coach cites when discussing her well‑rounded character.

• Noah Green’s 0.85 ERA is a testament to his skill and composure on the mound. His 25 strikeouts across the season were the highest among all pitchers in his conference. He was also named to the all‑district team for the third consecutive year.

• Olivia Ramirez defended her all‑state title with a solid 57.5 on the floor, the highest in the state that season. Her performances earned her a spot on the national gymnastics roster for the upcoming U.S. Junior Championships.

• Ethan Brooks’s 1,200 rushing yards placed him second in the district and he finished as a finalist for the state MVP award. He also helped his team maintain a 9‑1 record, an achievement for the program’s coach.

• Zara Ali’s 20 goals are the second highest in the state and she was the only sophomore to achieve double‑digit goals in the district. Her two assists per goal demonstrate her ability to both finish and create plays.

5. The Broader Significance

The Daily Advertiser stresses that the award is more than a tally of statistics; it is about community values, personal growth, and the embodiment of sportsmanship. “When we highlight these athletes, we’re also showcasing the standards we hold for our youth,” the editor explains. This viewpoint is reinforced by the inclusion of each nominee’s off‑court or off‑court contributions—whether it’s community service or academic success—directly in the article’s summary section.

Readers can also view a brief video clip of each athlete’s highlight reel, linked via a small icon beside each name. The clips, ranging from 15 to 45 seconds, give voters a quick visual snapshot of each athlete’s style and skill, making the decision more engaging.

6. How the Winner Is Recognized

The Athlete of the Week receives a commemorative plaque, a feature in the paper’s print and online sports pages, and a one‑hour interview with the reporter, where the athlete can share insights on how they balanced academics and athletics. Additionally, the award recipient’s name is added to a “Hall of Fame” plaque mounted in the Madison County Sports Hall, a tradition that has grown since 2019.

7. Community Engagement

The article encourages not only voting but also community discussions. For instance, a dedicated comment section beneath the article invites readers to post short anecdotes about how the athlete has impacted their community. “These stories are essential,” says a former athlete featured in the paper who now serves as a mentor. “They give the award depth beyond the scoreboard.”

8. Key Takeaways

1. Voting is open from Dec. 15–21: Cast your choice via the embedded poll or share your favorite athlete on social media.
2. Eight strong nominees: From soccer to gymnastics, each athlete has a distinct story of excellence and service.
3. Beyond stats: The award prioritizes character, leadership, and community involvement.
4. Recognition is multi‑layered: Plaque, interview, and a Hall of Fame induction await the winner.
5. Community voices matter: Readers are encouraged to write brief comments about each nominee’s impact.

In closing, the Daily Advertiser reminds its readership that “voting for a student athlete is a way of telling them, ‘We see you, we appreciate you, and we want to celebrate the best of you.’” Whether you’re a fan, a coach, a parent, or a fellow student, the article invites everyone to be part of a tradition that celebrates youth talent and community pride. The next athlete of the week could very well be your high‑school teammate, and the chance to recognize their hard work is just a click away.