Brentwood High School senior volleyball star Dylan Sulcer, sophomore soccer sensation Maddie Padelski and standout wide receiver Chance Fitzgerald – both of Nolensville – were selected as the Gateway Tire Athletes of the Week for the week ending Oct. 23.
Sulcer guided the Bruins to the brink of playing for the Class AAA state volleyball championship, Padelski led the Knights to a Region 6-AAA title and Fitzgerald caught two touchdowns and threw for another in a 30-20 win at Franklin.
The trio were chosen as part of the Athletes of the Week awards sponsored by Garth Bouldin of Gateway Tire & Service Center in Franklin. Each week, athletes from Williamson County are selected and featured in the Williamson Herald throughout the school year.
In addition, the three athletes will be recognized Monday night at 6 p.m. as part of a live broadcast on WAKM AM-950 and online from Tony's Eat and Drink in Franklin during the live "WillCo Sports Power Hour" broadcast.
Padelski, who is currently training with the USA under-16 national team in Portland, Oregon, scored two match-winning goals last week in the Region 6-AAA tournament.
"In every big game of our postseason, she has displayed the ability to rise to the occasion and finish in clutch situations," Nolensville soccer coach Eric Shelton said. "It's really hard for me to identify another player in high school soccer that has meant more to the success of their team."
The Knights edged Ravenwood 1-0 on Padelski's goal in the 94th minute to capture a double-overtime win over the Raptors in Brentwood in the region semifinals. Later in the week, she scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Independence to capture the region crown.
Fitzgerald was in on three consecutive Nolensville touchdowns in Week 10's 30-20 win at Franklin as the Knights bounced back from a 13-0 deficit early.
The senior finished with 126 yards receiving on nine catches with two going for TDs from quarterback Coby Walton. Fitzgerald also threw a 46-yard bomb to teammate Eric Harper as Nolensville catapulted in front 14-13 late in the first half.
"Chance was a big part of our win against Franklin," Knights football coach Paul Derrick said. "We continue to try and get him involved in the offense in different ways and it seems like each week he steps up and makes in plays in a variety of ways.
"He has really elevated his game this year and continues to be very productive for us each week."
Nolensville, which improved to 9-0 and carries the No. 2 ranking in Class 5A, plays at Franklin County Friday. Fitzgerald leads the team in receiving with 62 receptions for 959 yards and 11 TDs.