Vote now for the Daily Leader Athlete of the Week from March 11-16

The spring sports season is moving closer to getting in full swing as baseball and softball have begun. Indoor track and field is still taking place but soon will be heading outdoors. This has provided a list of candidates for the Daily Leader Athlete of the Week honor for the week of March 11-16.

Each week, the Daily Leader nominates a group of stars and you get to go and vote in our poll. This week you will choose the winner for the week from March 11-16. The voting at pontiacdailyleader.com ends at noon on Friday.

Coaches may email Erich Murphy at emurphy@gannett.com by 9 a.m. each Tuesday to submit a potential nominee who can be placed on the ballot.

Baseball:Area baseball teams get off to rough start to diamond campaign

Softball:Shae Simons perfect as WFC captures softball season opener

Braeden Barber, Lexington

Barber had a good first week to the baseball season that included a home run, a pair of doubles and five runs batted in for the Minutemen.

Isabella Bunting, Dwight

Bunting placed first in the shot put with a mark of 35 feet, 4.8 inches at an indoor meet hosted by Westmont.

Ella Derossett, Woodland-Flanagan-Cornell

Derossett opened the softball season with a pair of triples, a double and six runs batted in in helping WFC post wins over Spring Valley (Hall) and Gardner-South Wilmington.

Tyler Gubbins, Dwight

Gubbins won one event and was part of a runnerup relay team at an indoor meet hosted by Westmont. Gubbins claimed the 400-meter dash in 55.09 seconds. He teamed with Tristan Chambers, Joseph Duffy and Ayden Roff to take second in the 4x400 relay.

Elena Krause, Pontiac

Krause opened her junior season with a strong effort in the circle and key base hit at the plate. Krause struck out 10 and drove in Pontiac's lone run in a 2-1 loss to Metamora in the season-opener.

Graham Meister, Dwight

Meister continued his dominance in the shot put after winning the event at an indoor meet hosted by Westmont. Meister had a push of 48-7.85.

Shae Simons, Woodland-Flanagan-Cornell

Simons was absolutely perfect in her season-opening effort in the circle for the Warriors. She struck out 12 in tossing a perfect game against Spring Valley (Hall). She also fanned 10 in a win over Gardner-South Wilmington. She had five hits and drove in four runs in the two games.

Mikayla Ziegler, Lexington-Ridgeview

Ziegler hit two home runs in a softball win over Ottawa (Marquette) and added a double against Clinton. She drive in six runs in the two games.