It's championship season in Colorado, and the Fort Collins-area's finest young athletes are stepping up when it matters most. Welcome to the 32nd week of the 2025-26 sports calendar, where May's arrival signals the final push for glory.
We're thrilled to continue our weekly Athlete of the Week series, proudly presented by Blue Federal Credit Union. Each week, we spotlight five standout nominees from across the region, and now it's your turn to make your voice heard. Voting runs every Monday through Thursday at coloradoan.com/sports, with this week's ballot open until 11:59 a.m. on May 7. The winner will be announced later that same day.
This week's nominees bring a mix of baseball and track excellence, featuring athletes from Windsor, Heritage Christian, Rocky Mountain, and Fort Collins. Whether it's a clutch hit on the diamond or a record-breaking sprint on the track, these competitors have earned their spot in the spotlight.
Looking back at the season so far, we've seen incredible performances week after week. It all started with Rocky Mountain football's Bode Nesbitt, who electrified the crowd by returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Northglenn. Poudre's Owen Addington dominated the tennis courts in late August, dropping just six games across four sets in a perfect 2-0 week.
The fall brought fireworks from PSD's Marli Brenner, who racked up 13 tackles, two sacks, and a touchdown catch against Eagle Ridge Academy. Wellington softball's Kensley Story crushed two home runs with four RBIs, scored eight runs, and stole five bases in a single week. On the flag football field, PSD's Jordyn Peterson hauled in three passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Legacy.
Fossil Ridge has been a powerhouse all year. Emery Johnson dominated the Nike Southwest Nationals with 58 kills, five aces, six blocks, and 44 digs. Quarterback Brooke Pravlik combined for over 300 total yards and four touchdowns in two games. Briella Myers went an incredible 10-for-11 at the plate with two home runs and three doubles. And Olivia Ewing recorded 19 kills and 16 blocks in high-level wins over Valor.
Now, the spotlight turns to this week's nominees. Who will join this impressive list of winners? Cast your vote and help us honor the best of Fort Collins-area high school sports.