Vote Now: Who Will Be Melbourne's Boys Athlete of the Week?

Vote Now: Who Will Be Melbourne's Boys Athlete of the Week?

The thrill of high school sports takes center stage this week as the PuroClean of Melbourne Athlete of the Week nominations open for the 2025-26 season. Voting is currently available at both 321preps.com and floridatoday.com, providing an exciting way for local fans to support their favorite athletes. But be quick—votes are accepted only until noon on Thursday, Nov. 6, and are limited to once per device each hour.

Last week’s winner was Aaron Gordon from Edgewood swimming, a testament to the skill and determination prevalent in our young athletes. Coaches and athletic directors are encouraged to nominate athletes by sending their accomplishments to Prepscores@floridatoday.com by 10 a.m. every Sunday.

Nominees to Watch

For the week of Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, several standout performances have put these athletes in the running:

• Zaylan Chapple, Cocoa football: Scored four rushing touchdowns in the BBQ Bowl on Oct. 30.
• Cyrus Joseph, Edgewood golf: Shot a remarkable 69 at Fairwinds Golf Course, tying for first at the District 8-1A tournament on Oct. 27.
• James McGill, Astronaut bowling: Clinched the individual FHSAA state championship title with stellar scores of 214-185-240 on Oct. 30.
• Deshaun Thomas, Merritt Island football: Found the end zone three times in a decisive Week 11 victory against Viera on Oct. 30.
• Brady Zink, Viera swimming: Took gold in both the 100 and 50 freestyle events at the District 3-4A meet on Oct. 29.

These athletes have proved their mettle on the field, court, and pool, and it’s no surprise we’re eager to see who takes home the title this week. The excitement around these nominations reflects the spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines our local sports scene.

Reflecting on Past Winners

This season has already seen impressive performances from previous winners, including:

• Aaron Gordon, Edgewood swimming
• Cayden Sylvester, Bayside bowling
• Jaden Haddock, Cocoa Beach diving
• Logan Waite, Satellite football
• Jonas Dowdell, Edgewood cross country
• Lincoln Moyer, Astronaut bowling
• Christopher Teufer, Edgewood swimming
• Sawyer Hackett, Melbourne swimming
• Evan Spreitzer, Holy Trinity cross country

With so many talented athletes competing, it creates an exciting environment for everyone involved. Who will rise to the occasion and claim the spotlight next? Stay tuned, as many of these games unfold and new stories emerge.

Sports Beyond Our Borders

While athletes compete locally, the world of sports and aviation is also bustling with activity. Recently, the US government expressed concerns over Mexican airlines‘ decisions regarding route approvals. According to eleconomista.com.mx, starting November 7, the US Department of Transportation will revoke permissions for Aeroméxico routes from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), which is intended to boost traffic but has faced scrutiny. This has raised questions about the implications for air travel and trade, especially concerning previously planned expansions and services that would provide more connectivity.

The importance of fostering good relations in sports applies in similar ways to international aviation. Just as our local athletes depend on the support of their community, so too do airlines need structured agreements to thrive. As we cheer on our young sports stars, let’s also keep an eye on the broader implications of these developments in aviation, which impact not just athletes but everyone who relies on connectivity and trade.

As the voting for this week’s Athlete of the Week heats up, let’s celebrate the achievements of our local athletes while reflecting on the interconnected world we inhabit. Let’s give a big shoutout to those who inspire us every day—on and off the field!