The community is invited to vote for the Cellcom Press-Gazette high school athlete of the week until April 25. Last week, De Pere's Payton Spaeth won with a record-breaking 69,869 votes, making her the fourth De Pere athlete to win in five weeks. She surpassed the previous record of 61,871 votes held by Pulaski's Conrad Kreutzberg. The runner-up, Brett Paulsen from Kewaunee, garnered 67,175 votes, marking a historic voting week. This dynamic competition highlights the passionate support for high school athletics in the area.

By the Numbers
  • Payton Spaeth received 69,869 votes, setting a new record.
  • Brett Paulsen was the runner-up with 67,175 votes.
Yes, But

While the voting showcases strong community engagement, it raises questions about the impact of frequent winners from the same school on competition fairness. This trend might overshadow deserving athletes from other schools.

State of Play
  • Voting for the current week is open until Saturday at 3 p.m.
  • Nominees include athletes with impressive performances across various sports.
What's Next

As voting continues, expect fierce competition among this week's nominees, with potential for new records in engagement. Community support remains crucial for athletes’ recognition.

Bottom Line

This week's voting serves as a reminder of the passionate local support for high school sports, shining a spotlight on emerging talent while promoting healthy competition among schools.