High school athletes of the week: Nov. 6, 2024
The Post-Dispatch Athletes of the Week is compiled by Chris Gove based off stats reported to STLhighschoolsports.com . Please send nominations to by noon each Monday.
Griffen Becker, Breese Central football
The Cougars improved to 10-0 with a 42-7 victory against Harrisburg in the opening round of the Illinois Class 4A playoffs as Becker turned in a monster performance and made program history at the same time. A 6-foot-4 and 180-pound safety and wide receiver, Becker had five catches for 157 yards and three touchdowns, including a 73-yarder less than five minutes into the game. He also had two interceptions, one of which he returned 17 yards for a touchdown, and made four tackles. For the season, he has 37 catches for 818 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 14 receiving TDs are a single-season program record, breaking the previous mark of 13 set in 2012 by Jacob Timmermann. Becker also set career program records with 1,808 career receiving yards and 25 touchdowns.
Ridge Cathcart, Westminster football
A senior who primarily plays wide receiver, Cathcart had an impact on both sides of the ball during the Wildcats' 37-6 victory against St. Charles in a Missouri Class 4 District 4 first-round game. Cathcart made a spot start at cornerback because of injuries and made six solo tackles, one assisted tackle and returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown as Westminster avenged a 28-25 loss to the Pirates in the season opener for both teams. Cathcart still made an impact on the offensive side of the ball with four catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He scored the Wildcats' first touchdown on a 23-yard TD reception in the first quarter and added a 25-yarder in the fourth. For the season, he has 44 catches for 558 yards and six touchdowns.
Maleah Eggers, Marquette cross country
A senior, Eggers earned her fourth consecutive appearance in the Class 5 state meet but did it in a new way — by winning her first district championship. Eggers captured the Class 5 District 1 title at Osage Center in Cape Girardeau. Eggers' time of 18 minutes and 26.4 seconds on the 5-kilometer course was her personal best and good for a victory of almost seven seconds as only three runners broke 19 minutes. Earlier this season, Eggers won at Northwest Cedar Hill's Stan Nelson Invitational, was runner-up in the Border Wars race at Principia College and fourth in the Gans Creek Classic's top division. Last season, Eggers was a third-team All-Metro selection after finishing a career-best 20th at state, a finish she'll try to better Friday in Columbia.
Adelyn Gross, St. Joseph's tennis
A freshman, Gross played in the No. 1 singles and doubles positions for the Angels (22-1) as they captured the 19th team state championship in program history at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield. St. Joseph's completed a dominant Class 3 postseason by sweeping Liberty-Kansas City 5-0 in the state semifinals before winning by the same score in the title match against Lafayette. Gross led crucial doubles sweeps in both duals at the top position with senior Ashley Behan. Gross did not complete either of her singles matches in either dual because the Angels had clinched team victories first each time, but she led Class 3 state singles champion Ava Beltran of Liberty by a set before it was called. At the individual state tournament a week earlier, Gross finished fifth in singles.
Nate Pitre, Althoff soccer
A sophomore forward, Pitre scored three goals and provided two assists as the Crusaders — winners of 12 games in a row — captured the title of the Class 2A Triad Sectional. Pitre had one goal and one assist in a 4-0 sectional semifinal victory against Carbondale, and then he provided two goals and one assist in a 4-2 win over host Triad to avenge a 3-1 loss to Triad in the same round a year ago. A second-year varsity player, Pitre ranks among area leaders this season with 53 points on 22 goals and nine assists. He had five goals and six assists as a freshman. Pitre has scored goals in 15 of Althoff's 27 games and has seven goals in four postseason games. The sectional title is Althoff's third in four seasons but first in Class 2A since 2005.
Hannah Ponciroli, Villa Duchesne field hockey
The Saints captured the 15th state championship in program history with a 1-0 victory against John Burroughs, and Ponciroli delivered the only goal to do it. A freshman forward and midfielder, Ponciroli scored her 20th goal of the season, and sixth game-winner, early in the third quarter by finishing off the rebound of a shot by senior Katie Crump. Villa Duchesne (24-2) also won 1-0 in the semifinals against St. Joseph's, and Ponciroli moved back from her attacking position in both final four games to help shore up the strong defensive efforts. Ponciroli scored a goal earlier in the week in a 6-2 quarterfinal victory against Ursuline. She finished the season with 27 assists and ranked among area leaders with 67 points.
Hayes van Breusegen, Columbia soccer
A senior forward, van Breusegen helped the Eagles into the Class 1A state semifinals for the second successive season by scoring three goals in two postseason games. He scored twice as Columbia rallied to beat Father McGivney 3-2 in overtime in the Murphysboro Sectional final after trailing 2-0 at halftime. Van Breusegen scored early in the second half to get the Eagles back in the game and forced overtime by tying the game 2-2 in the 68th minute. Three days later, van Breusegen scored the first goal in a 4-1 super-sectional victory against Williamsville. Verbally committed to continue his career at Evangel University, van Breusegen ranks among area leaders with 73 points on 33 goals and seven assists. The Eagles play Chicago Cristo Rey at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the state semifinals.
Editor, high school sports
