White Knoll defensive end Lincoln Ilunga and River Bluff cross country standout Leah Esber were voted male and female Athlete of the Week.

Other male nominees were Brookland-Cayce running back Will Young and Dutch Fork running back Maurice Anderson. Other female nominees were Northside Christian cross country runner Kendall Murray and Lexington volleyball player Sydney Fischer.

Voting for Athlete of the Week is open from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek.

Lincoln Ilunga

Ilunga led the vicious White Knoll defense with eight tackles and three sacks in a 16-0 win at Lexington.

The win helped clinch a share of the region title for White Knoll. 

Leah Esber

Earlier this season, Esber ran the fourth fastest time in River Bluff’s program history. The time was also the fifth best time in the state among all eighth-graders. 

Esber’s great season has helped River Bluff become ranked as high as seventh in 5A.