HILLSDALE COUNTY — Two standout athletes have earned top honors in the latest Athlete of the Week awards, bringing well-deserved recognition to their schools and teams.
Jonesville softball's Jayda Rathbun claimed the Reader's Choice Award after an impressive week on the diamond. The rising sophomore proved why she's one of the most reliable players in the Comets' lineup, recording four hits, four RBIs, five runs, and 10 putouts during the week of May 3. Rathbun has been a key contributor to Jonesville's recent winning streak, showcasing her skills both at the plate and in the field. With the Comets rolling, another teammate may find themselves in the nomination spotlight for the May 4-10 poll—head to hillsdale.net to cast your vote.
On the boys' side, Pittsford senior Jacob Drawe took home the Hillsdale Daily News Choice Award, and it's easy to see why. Drawe was a true two-sport star, dominating on both the baseball diamond and the track. The senior sprinter and long jump specialist opened the week by anchoring the 4x100 relay team to a first-place finish at a home jamboree with a time of 47.26 seconds. He then leaped a personal-best 19 feet, 2.5 inches to win the long jump at the same meet, before adding a runner-up finish in the long jump at The Oriole Classic.
But Drawe wasn't done there. On the baseball mound, he helped Pittsford secure two critical wins against top SCAA East opponents. In a 6-2 victory over North Adams-Jerome, he contributed one hit, two RBIs, and two stolen bases. Then, in a tense 7-6 win over Camden-Frontier, the lefty fired 10 strikeouts over six innings, adding a hit, a steal, and a run scored against the RedHawks.
Honorable mentions this week include Grayson Rorick from Hillsdale Academy, who continued his dominance in distance events. The senior all-state runner won the 1,600-meter run at the Saline Golden Triangle Invitational with a time of 4:24.62, marking his fifth straight victory in the event this season. Also earning a nod was Hillsdale's Blaise Mayer, a sophomore discus thrower who launched a personal-best 133 feet, 4 inches to take first at the LC Invitational.
Whether you're hitting the diamond, the track, or the field, these athletes prove that hard work and versatility pay off. Gear up for your own winning season with apparel that performs as hard as you do.