Vote now: Who should be SBLive's Minnesota Athlete of the Week?

Here are the candidates for the Minnesota Athlete of the Week for Oct. 2-8 as nominated by coaches, fans and readers

Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced Monday.

If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email varriano34@gmail.com with “MHSAW Nomination” in the subject line.

Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.


Vivian Rojas Collins, Twin Cities Academy

The senior midfielder had three assists in a 5-4 loss at Hiawatha Collegiate on Tuesday and four goals in a 6-4 win over Lakes International Language Academy on Thursday. Her 28 goals are fourth-most in the state, according to MNsoccerhub.

Jose Luis Ulloa, Marshall

The senior forward scored three times in a 4-0 win over Windom/St. James on Monday, and he had both of his team’s goals in a 2-0 win at Fairmont on Tuesday. His 24 goals have him tied for seventh in Minnesota.

Kadyn Dilger, Big Lake

The junior goalkeeper stopped all 31 shots on goal in a 0-0 draw at Delano on Thursday. Her 161 saves are eighth-most in the state.

Chris Frantz, Maple Grove

The senior forward assisted on both goals scored in a 2-0 win at Andover on Tuesday, and he scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Coon Rapids on Thursday. His 16 assists are third-most in Minnesota.

Taylor Heimerl, Rosemount

The senior midfielder and forward had two goals and two assists in a 11-0 rout of Burnsville on Monday, and she added another two goals and an assist in a 6-0 win over Eagan on Wednesday. Her 15 assists are fourth-most in the state.

Maddy Benka, Minnehaha Academy

The junior outside hitter logged 71 kills over three matches last week: 25 in a 3-2 win at West Lutheran, 30 in a 3-2 loss to Providence Academy and 16 in a 3-0 win at St. Paul Academy. Her 323 kills are the most in Minnesota, according to MNvolleyballhub.

Kylie Hart, Floodwood

The senior setter had 95 assists last week: 26 in a 3-0 win at McGregor on Monday, 35 in a 3-0 win over Cook County on Tuesday and 34 in a 3-2 loss at Esko on Thursday. It propelled her to eighth in the state with 543 assists.

Amara Lafrance, PACT

The senior outside hitter had 11 digs and nine service aces in a 3-2 win over Minneapolis Henry on Monday, and she had eight digs and five aces in a 3-0 win over Eagle Ridge Academy on Tuesday. Her 61 service aces are fifth-most in Minnesota.

Avery Bolles, Andover

The senior outside hitter spiked 30 kills over two matches last week. She also had four service aces, 16 digs and two blocks. Her 241 kills are seventh-most in the state.

Ashlyn Steding, Chanhassen

The senior setter and right side hitter had 35 assists, 13 kills, five service aces, 29 digs and three blocks in wins over Osseo and Bloomington Jefferson last week. Her 39 solo blocks are third-most in Minnesota.

Caden Anderson, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton

The senior running back and linebacker carried the ball 21 times for 175 yards and three touchdowns and had eight total tackles and a tackle for loss in a 35-0 shutout at St. James, Saturday.

Max Johnson, Maple Grove

The senior outside linebacker had 15 total tackles (11 solo), three tackles for loss and a sack in a 28-21 win at Wayzata on Friday.

Carson Hansen, Lakeville South

The senior running back rushed 23 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 win at Prior Lake, Friday.

Gannon Ahrendt, Luverne

The senior wide receiver caught seven passes for 121 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-20 win at Pipestone Area on Friday.

Grant Loge, Pequot Lakes

The senior quarterback completed 10-of-14 passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns in a 61-18 rout of Pillager on Friday.

Grant Muffenbier, Chanhassen

The senior quarterback completed 19-of-31 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, with two touchdowns coming in overtime to beat Waconia 37-35 on Friday.

Brayden Talso, Spring Lake Park

The senior quarterback ran 23 times for 81 yards and three touchdowns. His lone pass completion came on the game-winning two-point conversion to win 29-28 at Robbinsdale Cooper, Friday.

Landyn Nelson, Andover

The senior quarterback completed 14-of-24 pass attempts for 253 yards and five touchdowns and ran 20 times for 102 yards and another touchdown in a 52-19 win at Coon Rapids, Thursday.

Caden Spence, Zimmerman

The senior running back had 15 carries for 304 yards and three touchdowns as well as a tackle on defense in a 34-6 win over Little Falls on Friday.

Jay-veon Blackmond-Joswick, Winona

The senior safety had five total tackles, one tackle for loss, a sack, a fumble forced and a fumble recovery in a 22-0 shutout of Faribault on Friday. 


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