With the high school sports season behind us, it's time to look back.

This is the third poll in a series the Journal Star will roll out this summer, asking readers to select various superlatives across the 2024-25 season — including top team, coach, plus male and female athlete.

It's time to name the Peoria-area high school male athlete of the year. Head to pjstar.com/sports to vote. The poll closes at noon Friday. Information about the nominees is below.

If you have a nominee for next week's female athlete of the year honor, email us at [email protected] or tag us on Twitter @pjstarsports. Last week, Shelly Stoner of the Limestone volleyball team was named the fans' choice for 2025 Journal Star Coach of the Year. Limestone volleyball also was voted JS Team of the Year.

Lane Wheelwright, Farmington football

The 2024 Journal Star football player of the year guided Farmington to the Class 2A state semifinals for the first time in program history. Wheelwright, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior quarterback, threw for 2,097 yards on 128-of-214 passing (60 percent) with 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 10 TDs and 323 yards as the Farmers finished 12-1. Those numbers came despite missing the last two regular-season games with an injury. He cleaned up on postseason accolades being named the LincolndLand Conference-Large Division Offensive Player of the Year, all-LincolnLand-Large Division unanimous first-team quarterback and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 2A first-team all-state. Wheelwright will play this fall for North Central.

Farmington quarterback Lane Wheelwright launches a pass against Chicago Christian in the first half of their Class 2A state football semifinal Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Farmington. The Farmers fell 34-20.

Kayden Hudson, Peoria Notre Dame boys soccer

The 2024 Journal Star player of the year helped lead PND to the Class 2A Elite Eight and a 21-win season. Hudson, a senior forward, scored 41 goals and chipped in 12 assists as he became the three-time POY. He was named all-Big 12 Conference first team, Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state and United Soccer Coaches all-American. Hudson will play this fall for Michigan State.

Peoria Notre Dame’s Kayden Hudson, left, winds up for a kick against Limestone’s Kaleb Powell in the first half of the Class 2A Metamora Regional soccer title match Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 at Metamora High School. The Irish routed the Rockets 9-0.

Dietrich Richardson, Manual boys basketball

The 2025 Journal Star player of the year guided the Rams to a 23-win season and a Class 2A fourth-place finish. Richardson, the 6-foot-7 senior guard, averaged 17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Richardson was recognized as an all-Big 12 Conference first-team player along being an Illinois Media Class 2A all-state first team as well as Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state first team. Richardson will play this winter for Bradley.

Manual's Dietrich Richardson shoots over Chicago Dyett in the first half of the Class 2A boys basketball state semifinals Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The Rams fell 54-50 to Dyett.

Wyatt Medlin, Washington boys wrestling

The 2025 Journal Star wrestler of the year completed the 2025 season with a Class 2A state title at 157 pounds. He went 48-3 during his campaign, winning a regional and sectional titles during his run to back-to-back state championships. During Washington's run to a Class 2A dual-team state runner-up finish, Medlin went 4-0 in those postseason matches. He has given his commitment to Illinois.

Washington's Wyatt Medlin celebrates his victory over Highland's Tyson Rakers in the 157-pound match of the Class 2A state high school wrestling championships Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. Medlin repeated as state champ with a 20-5 technical fall.

Davis Weeks, Dunlap baseball

The 2025 Journal Star player of the year batted .495 on 52 hits with 11 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 32 RBIs for the Eagles (28-8), who made a Class 3A sectional semifinal. He scored 43 runs, walked 20 times and stole 33 bases. In 52.1 innings pitched, Weeks went 6-3 with 94 strikeouts and a 1.74 ERA in 11 appearances. Weeks will play at Michigan State in the fall.

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Champions and D-I recruits: Vote for 2024-25 Journal Star Male Athlete of the Year