After Marlborough softball star Erin Seder dominated last week's poll with a staggering 21,600 votes (52.4% of 41,210 total), we're back with another stellar lineup of candidates for the Daily News Girls Athlete of the Week. Last week's runner-up, Hopkinton softball player Avery Quebec, put up a strong fight with 16,401 votes, but now it's time to spotlight a fresh group of athletes who delivered standout performances from May 4-10.
This week's contenders span multiple sports, showcasing the incredible depth of talent in our local high school athletics. From track and field speedsters to softball sluggers, lacrosse playmakers, and tennis aces, these young women left it all on the field, court, and track. The poll is open until Sunday, May 17 at 6 p.m., so make your voice heard and support your favorite athlete.
Let's meet the candidates: A junior softball player collected three hits against Southeastern, drove in three runs, and scored four times against Diman, adding two more hits against Bristol-Plymouth. A senior pitcher hurled a five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts, while also contributing a double and two RBIs in a win over Groton-Dunstable.
On the track, a 10th-grader won the 400-meter hurdles, triple jump, and long jump against Taunton, then anchored the winning 4x1 relay. Just three days later at the Lou Tozzi Twilight Invitational, she placed second in the 400 hurdles with a personal-best time of 1:05.59. Another senior claimed the 400 hurdles and 800 meters to help her team win the Mayflower Large title, while also taking second in the long jump.
In tennis, one player dropped just eight games during a perfect 3-0 week, extending her winning streak to eight consecutive matches. A senior lacrosse standout set a school record with her 128th career goal, scoring four times against South Shore. A junior softball player had two hits against Nipmuc and went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs against Northbridge.
Another senior track star won the 400 at the Weston Twilight Invitational in a personal-best 58.08 seconds, then ran the second leg on the winning Swedish Relay alongside teammates. A senior doubled against Uxbridge and added three singles and an RBI against Hopedale. A junior lacrosse player dished out three assists against West Springfield and scored four goals with an assist against Medway. A sophomore goalkeeper notched her 200th career save against Dedham, while a junior track athlete swept both the 100 and 200 meters against Westwood.
These athletes represent the best of competition, dedication, and sportsmanship. Who will take the crown this week? Cast your vote now and help us celebrate the incredible young women making waves in local sports.