Meet the nominees for Press-Citizen’s Athletes of the Week, Aug. 26-Sept. 1

Week 1 of Iowa high school football is in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. Let’s not forget about cross country and volleyball that brought all of the action this past week.

Here are the nominees for the Iowa City Press-Citizen’s high school Athletes of the Week for Aug. 26-Sept. 1. Press-Citizen.com readers vote to decide this week’s winners. Voting closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday. 

Players are listed in alphabetical order by last name:

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Boys

Landon Bell, Jr., Iowa City Liberty

The Friday night lights weren’t too bright for Bell, who made plays on both sides of the ball in Iowa City Liberty’s win over Iowa City West in Week 1.

The third-year playmaker totaled 12 tackles and an interception. He also caught a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Butali Butali, Sr., Iowa City West

Despite falling short to Iowa City Liberty in Week 1, Butali was still a workhorse on the ground for Iowa City West.

He rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.

Owen Drapeaux, Sr., Iowa City Liberty

It was the Owen Drapeaux show during Liberty’s 56-45 win over Iowa City West on Aug. 29.

Drapeaux rushed for 171 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns. His showing helped the Lightning earn their first win over the Trojans in program history.

Eddie Johnson, Sr., Solon

Johnson answered the call during Solon’s 33-7 win over Assumption in Week 1.

The fourth year running back rushed for 120 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. He led the Spartans with 9.2 yards per carry.

Tate Wallace, Soph., Regina Catholic

Wallace made a statement in the air in Week 1 against West Liberty.

The second-year Regal snatched six receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown in Regina’s 42-28 win over the Comets.

Girls

Sophia Austen, Soph., Iowa City West

Austen made her mark for the Iowa City West volleyball team during its first win of the season against No. 8 Dubuque Senior on Thursday.

According to Varsity Bound, Austen totaled 10 kills, seven digs and two aces in a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-17) over the Rams.

Sydney Dee, Sr. Solon

Dee helped the Solon girls cross country team clinch a first-place team title at the Anomosa Meet on Saturday by placing third individually.

She completed the 5-kilometer race in 21 minutes, 16.8 seconds.

Kaitlin Loria, Soph. Iowa City High

Loria helped lead Iowa City High volleyball to its third win of the season in a 2-0 victory (21-18, 21-14) over Council Bluffs Lincoln on Thursday.

The second-year Little Hawk totaled a team-high seven kills in the win. The Little Hawks swept the Johnston Quad, earning wins over Council Bluffs Lincoln, Marion and Johnston.

Averie Lower, Jr., Clear Creek Amana

Lower played a big role in CCA’s tournament win at Grinnell Community Senior High School on Saturday.

According to Varsity Bound, Lower earned 12 kills and 11 digs. The Clippers earned wins over Urbandale, Washington, Dallas Center-Grimes and Carlisle before topping Grinnell in the championship match. They improved to 5-1 on the season.

Kinley Mai, Fresh., Solon

Mai also contributed to Solon’s team title victory at the Anomosa cross country meet on Saturday.

Individually, she placed fourth behind Dee with a time of 21 minutes, 16.8 seconds in the 5-kilometer race.

Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.

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