Gaylord Herald Times opens athlete of the week voting for week two

The Gaylord Herald Times launched its 2026-27 athlete of the week poll on Monday, featuring nominations from Gaylord, St. Mary, and Johannesburg-Lewiston high schools. Candidates include several football players who turned in standout performances, such as Nathan O'Connell, who passed for four touchdowns, and Joey Wieczorek, who recorded a hat trick in a 6-0 soccer victory for Gaylord. Other nominees include cross country runners Noah Strother and Evelayna Szajner, along with Johannesburg volleyball player Lily Crane, who recorded 13 kills and six aces across two wins. Fans can cast their votes through the newspaper's online portal starting this week. The voting period closes on Sunday, Sept. 13, at which point the winner will be determined based on the highest tally. The weekly series aims to highlight top athletic efforts across the covered school districts throughout the academic year.

• 3:34 PMYahoo Sports — Vote for the Gaylord Herald Times Athlete of the Week, Week 2