Vote for Journal Star boys athlete of the week for March 30-April 4

Peoria Notre Dame, Dunlap and Peoria Christian athletes nominated

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:48am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting various high school sports actions and competitions, rendered in a Cubist style with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.A conceptual illustration of the diverse athletic talents of the Journal Star's boys athlete of the week nominees, captured through a Cubist lens.Peoria Today

The Journal Star is asking readers to vote for the high school boys athlete of the week for March 30-April 4. Nominees include athletes from Peoria Notre Dame, Dunlap, and Peoria Christian who had standout performances in baseball, track, and tennis.

Why it matters

The Journal Star's athlete of the week award recognizes exceptional high school sports achievements in the Peoria area, highlighting the talent and dedication of local student-athletes.

The details

The nominees for this week's award include: Peoria Notre Dame's Nate Lippens, who threw a no-hitter; East Peoria's Jackson Ahrens, who hit for the cycle in back-to-back games; Peoria Christian's Kaden Kniep, who had a big game at the plate; and Dunlap's Weston Sopko, who went undefeated in singles and doubles matches.

  • The poll to vote for the athlete of the week closes at noon on Friday, April 7.
  • Last week, Jackson Ahrens of the East Peoria baseball team was named the Journal Star boys athlete of the week.

The players

Nate Lippens

A junior pitcher for the Dunlap Eagles baseball team who threw a no-hitter in a 10-0 victory over Peoria Notre Dame.

Jackson Ahrens

A senior on the East Peoria baseball team who hit for the cycle in back-to-back games, including a three-run homer in a loss to Troy, Ohio.

Kaden Kniep

A senior at Peoria Christian School who went 3-for-4 with two home runs and seven RBIs in a 17-10 win over Delavan.

Weston Sopko

A senior tennis player at Dunlap High School who went undefeated in singles and doubles matches last week.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.