HILLSDALE COUNTY — Congratulations to the recent Hillsdale Daily News Athlete of the Week winners for April 27-May 3.
The reader’s choice award went to Jonesville softball’s Jayda Rathbun. The Hillsdale Daily News Choice Award went to Jacob Drawe of Reading.
Reader’s Choice: Jayda Rathbun
Rathbun continues to be one of Jonesville softball’s most reliable fielders and batters in the 2026 lineup. The Comet athlete finished the week of May 3 with four hits, four RBIs, five runs and 10 putouts for the Comets.
The Comets have been on a recent winning streak, and Rathbun has been a part of that success. Another Comet softball player will likely earn a nomination for Athlete of the Week for May 4-10. Head to hillsdale.net to cast a vote in the most recent poll.
Hillsdale Daily News Choice: Jacob Drawe
Pittsford senior Jacob Drawe had a complete week, competing on the mound for the Pittsford varsity baseball team and running down wins for the varsity boys track and field team.
The senior sprint and long jump specialist took first at a home jamboree with the 4×100 relay team (47.26). He jumped a personal best 19-feet, 2 1/2 inches to take first at the same meet in long jump. He then added a runner-up finish in the long jump at The Oriole Classic.
Jake Drawe also helped the baseball team secure to important wins against top SCAA East teams with a 6-2 win over North Adams-Jerome and a 7-6 win over Camden-Frontier.
Drawe had one hit, two RBIs and two stolen bases against North Adams-Jerome. The lefty threw 10 strikeouts in six innings against Camden-Frontier. Drawe added a hit, steal and run in the game against the RedHawks.
Honorable Mentions
- Grayson Rorick – Hillsdale Academy Boys Track and Field: The senior all-state distance runner tracked down the1,600-meter win at the Saline Golden Triangle Invitational with a time of 4:24.62. It was his fifth win in a row this season in the 1,600-meter run.
- Blaise Mayer – Hillsdale Boys Track and Field: The sophomore discus thrower had a personal best throw of 133-feet, 4 inches to win the LCAA jamboree at Dundee. He added an additional second-place finish in discus and two top five finishes in shot put during LCAA competition. He took ninth overall in discus at the prestigious Saline Golden Triangle Invitational.
- Pittsford Girls 4×800 Relay Team: The Pittsford girls 4×800 relay team of Anna Newell, Arlene Powell, Lillian Jagielski and Danaja Williams tracked down a second-place finish in SCAA jamboree action, and the team also took first place at the Quincy Oriole Classic Invitational with a time of 11:55.05.
- Savannah McDonald – Reading Softball: McDonald had two hits and two RBIs to help Reading defeat Concord in a Big 8 battle. McDonald finished the week with six hits, four RBIs and five runs.
- Laura LeMar – Pittsford Softball, Girls Track and Field: In field events, Laura LeMar threw a personal best 105-feet, 9 inches at a home jamboree to take first in discus. The senior took runner-up in discus at the Oriole Classic, added two fourth place finishes in shot put and took sixth in the 100-meter hurdles. LeMar then struck out 11 in the circle against Camden-Frontier in a 13-9 victory. She finished the day at the plate with five total hits, one double and two triples, four total runs and four RBIs.
- Jonesville Girls 4×800 Relay Team: The Jonesville girls 4×800 relay team of Keira Knight, Joleane Gulledge, Kendahl Drake and Sophia Morgan tracked down to wins for Jonesville in the toughest race the sport has to offer. They took first at the 46th annual Manchester Metrics with a time of 10:39.07. The team also took first at the Homer jamboree.
- Reader’s Choice Runner-up: Gaven Mckibbin – Reading Boys Track and Field: Gaven Mckibbin had a busy day at his team’s home jamboree against Maple Valley and Springport. The senior ran with the 4×100 and 4×200 teams to wins, times of 44.79 and 1:34.56 respectively. Mckibbin also was the lead leg of a second 4×400 team, that came up just short of beating teammates in the same event.
- Chase Anderson – Reading Baseball: Anderson threw 12 strikeouts, giving up one earned run, in a 8-1 win over Concord. He added two hits, an RBI, a run and a steal in the same game. He finished the week with four hits, two runs and two steals.
- Brady Kerr – Litchfield Baseball: Kerr and the Terries bounced back from a loss to North Adams-Jerome with a sweep of Tekonsha, winning game one 21-9 and taking an 8-1 lead before being called in the second game. Kerr pitched 2 2/3 innings with five strikeouts, no hits and just one run scored before handing the reigns to Connor Kerr and company. He earned the win, and he added three hits (one double), three RBIs, two runs and a steal in the game. He had an additional run and base hit during the week.
- Layla Stebbins – Hillsdale Softball: The senior Hornet finished the week with four hits, including a double and a triple. She added four runs and a steal. She added five putouts, including a double play.
- Desman Lawless – North Adams-Jerome Baseball: After earning Daily News Choice for April 26 Athlete of the Week, Lawless followed it up with another big pitching performance against Litchfield in a 17-0 win. He allowed just one hit, striking out 16, across six innings. He also had one double and another home run, this time inside-the-park. In total, he finished the week with four hits, three RBIs, five runs and one stolen base.
- Mackenzie Davis – Litchfield Softball: Davis helped the Terrier softball team rally down 15-3 against North Adams-Jerome to take the lead. She had a two-run double-base hit to highlight the effort and also caught the game for the Terriers. Litchfield was eventually credited with its first wins of the season after forfeit.
- Edward Keaster – Hillsdale Academy Boys Golf: The junior golfer took first overall in an event hosted by Colon. The Colts won the event with a final team score of 167 through nine holes. Keaster took first individually with a 40, just four over par.
- Joel Tucker – Hillsdale Boys Golf: Joel Tucker had a season-best finish of first place in the Hudson-hosted jamboree. Tucker shot a 37 after earning a birdie and six pars through nine holes, finishing just one over par.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Jonesville and Pittsford athletes win May 4 Athlete of the Week
