Who was the top athlete of the week Oct. 5-10? Vote now.
The News Leader staff, with input from coaches and fans, nominate the athletes. Then, every Monday, we open the poll and let readers select the top athlete in The News Leader coverage area from the previous week.
The poll remains open through Friday at 5 p.m. The winner is announced during the weekend.
Please keep in mind that reader polls are unscientific and meant as a way to recognize all nominated athletes for their success during the week.
This week's nominees:
Zakarre Hymes-Williams, Stuarts Draft football
Zakarre Hymes-Williams had nine catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in Stuarts Draft's 21-0 win over Staunton in high school football Friday, Oct. 9. He was also part of a defense that got its first shutout of the season.
Maddie Gale, Fort Defiance volleyball
Maddie Gale had 14 kills, 49 assists, 15 digs and nine aces in a pair of Fort Defiance wins. The freshman had eight kills, 25 assists, six aces and nine digs in a four-set win over Alleghany and added six kills, 24 assists, six digs and three aces in a sweep of Stuarts Draft.
Nolan Deaver, Wilson Memorial football
Nolan Deaver scored three touchdowns, including one on defense, in Wilson Memorial's 42-7 win over Rockbridge County Friday, Oct. 9. Deaver had touchdown receptions of 39 and 35 yards and returned a fumble for a touchdown as well.
Brady Richie, Buffalo Gap golf
Brady Richie shot an 80 at Gypsy Hill Golf Course Oct. 5 in the Region 1B tournament. Richie helped lead Gap to a second-place finish, qualifying the team for the Class 1 state tournament. Richie's score was good enough to tie him for third place individually.
Jackson Fitzgerald, Riverheads football
Jackson Fitzgerald had 121 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns in Riverheads 41-21 win over Fort Defiance in high school football Friday, Oct. 9. Fitzgerald also scored on a two-point play.