Jaeleigh Decker of the Pekin softball team has been named the Journal Star high school girls athlete of the week for April 20-25, presented by CEFCU. The catcher delivered a clutch performance that turned heads and earned her this well-deserved honor.
Decker's defining moment came on April 20 in a dramatic 3-2 victory over East Peoria. After a tough day at the plate—going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts—she stepped up in the 11th inning with two outs and Lily Towery on first base. Working the count to 1-2, Decker crushed a two-run homer over the left-field fence, sealing the win and showcasing the resilience that makes softball so thrilling. This was Pekin's fourth one-run Mid-Illini Conference game of the season, and they've now posted a 3-1 record in those nail-biters.
The poll closed at noon Friday, and Decker's heroics clearly resonated with voters. For context, last week's winner was Schyer Meinders of the Brimfield/Elmwood softball team, continuing a tradition of celebrating standout performances in the area. If you have a nominee for future weeks, you can email sports@pjstar.com or tag @pjstarsports on X.
Looking at the other nominees, the competition was fierce. Ellison of Illinois Valley Central had a monster week, belting three home runs and driving in eight RBIs in wins over Abingdon-Avon and Midwest Central. She hit two homers in a 17-0 rout of A-Town on April 20, then added a two-run shot against Midwest Central. Ellison also shined in the circle, earning a win and a save while striking out 12 batters.
In track and field, Alt of Dunlap was a two-event winner at the Dunlap Invite on April 24. The senior clocked 12.61 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 26.07 seconds in the 200-meter dash, both of which currently lead the Peoria-area honor roll. She also took third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.58 seconds, proving her versatility on the track.
Henderson of Eureka, a freshman, impressed with a pair of wins at the same meet. She won the 800-meter run in 2:25.59 and the 1600-meter run in a personal-best 5:25.05—winning the mile by over 17 seconds. Both times rank among the top 12 in the area honor roll, signaling a bright future for this young athlete.
Finally, Lovell of Peoria Christian School was a goal-scoring machine on the soccer field. The freshman tallied five goals and three assists in three matches, leading her team to a perfect 3-0-0 week. Her consistent offensive production made her a standout nominee in a loaded field.
Whether you're a softball player, track star, or soccer standout, performances like these remind us why high school sports are so exciting. Gear up for your own big moments with apparel that helps you perform at your best—because every at-bat, sprint, or goal could be the one that makes headlines.