Runners, soccer players and volleyball among J&C Athlete of the Week nominees

LAFAYETTE — Cross country, high school girls and boys soccer players and volleyball players dominated the local scene as high school sports across the Lafayette area commenced last week.

Six students from Harrison, West Lafayette, Rensselaer Central, Lafayette Jeff and North White have been nominated for the Journal & Courier Athlete of the Week ballot.

The list includes two cross country runners, two soccer players and three volleyball players.

Here are the nominees who were selected for performances between Aug. 12 and Aug. 17. Fans and readers can vote an unlimited number of times. The ballot closes Thursday at noon and winners will be announced Friday morning.

To nominate an athlete, email sports reporter Ethan Hanson at ehanson@jconline.com or send a message through social media at EthanAHanson on Twitter or ethan_a_hanson on Instagram.

Ivan Gutierrez (Harrison)

Gutierrez directed his offense, connected attacking passes to both sides of the field and benefitted from his handy work by scoring two goals in a strong 4-0 win over Ben Davis in its season opener last Saturday.

Brooklyn Bilyeu (Rensselaer Central)

The senior setter had an efficient week, delivering 51 assists and slammed 12 kills to lead the Bombers to a 2-2 start to the fall. Rensselaer Central earned 2-set victories over Carroll of Flora and North Miami, while falling to North Miami and Hamilton Heights last Saturday in Peru.

Ryan Miloudi (West Lafayette)

Miloudi breezed to a season opening first place result at the Harrison Champ at the Amp cross country race at the Tippecanoe Amphitheater last Saturday. Miloudi ran the 5,000 kilometer race 16:10.8. His time outpaced second place finisher Jack Chandler of West Lafayette by 48.5 seconds.

Sawyer DeWitt (Harrison)

DeWitt took first at the Harrison Champ at the Amp cross country race in 19:22.3 in the first event of the 2024 season last Saturday. Harrison had five runners finish in the top 10 led by DeWitt.

Jianna Walker (Lafayette Jeff)

The Bronchos senior setter was locked in during her team's season opener against Western. Walker set 33 assists with three aces and made seven digs in Lafayette Jeff's 25-18 25-17 25-14 sweep last Saturday.

Hannah Voll (Harrison)

Voll performed in key moments for the Raiders on the road against Terre Haute North Vigo last Saturday. Harrison was tied 1-1 at halftime before Voll struck two goals in the second half to lead her team to victory 3-1 last Saturday.

Olivia Dahlenburg (North White)

Dahlenburg led North White to two wins in four games to start the season. Dahlenburg combined for 22 kills with a 24.1 hitting percentage in wins against Winamac and North Newton last Saturday.

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com , on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Runners, soccer players and volleyball among J&C Athlete of the Week nominees