The Times Athlete of the Week: Ottawa state qualifier Rylee O’Fallon a fierce competitor fueled by DQ chicken tenders

Winning 251 of 435 votes cast – 57.7% – Ottawa girls tennis player Rylee O’Fallon is The Times Athlete of the Week.

O’Fallon and partner Jenna Smithmeyer continue to pile up victories, on Saturday winning the No. 1 doubles title at the Interstate 8 Conference Meet, then repeating the feat in the Class 1A Ottawa Sectional this past Saturday to earn a spot in the upcoming IHSA State Finals.

Also on last week’s ballot were runner-up Kayden Page (Sandwich boys soccer), Austin Aldridge (Seneca boys cross country) and Emma Highland (Woodland girls volleyball).

Next week’s ballot is online now, with voting active through midday Wednesday.

Here is a Q&A with this week’s winner:

Do you have any nicknames?

O’Fallon: Most people just call me “Ry.”

Your family has a pretty strong tennis tradition. How old were you when you started playing, and how did you get into the game?

O’Fallon: When I was 3, my mom threw me into munchkin tennis during the summer, and that’s where it all started for me.

How would you describe yourself as a tennis player?

O’Fallon: I would describe me as very competitive and driven to always get better.

What is your pre-match routine?

O’Fallon: My pre-match routine came from [recent Ottawa girls tennis star] Ella Marvel – two-for-$7 DQ chicken tender meal fuels me to win every match.

What other activities are you involved with at school?

O’Fallon: I am involved with Do Change, student council, superfans, yearbook and fine arts.

What are three of your favorite books?

O’Fallon: I like any book from [romance/young adult novelist] Colleen Hoover.

What is your favorite dessert?

O’Fallon: I love DQ’s s’mores shake.

What is the best memory you’ve made made on a tennis court?

O’Fallon: My favorite memory will always be getting to play doubles with Ella Marvel against my mom [Ottawa tennis coach Tracey] and sister [fellow Ottawa standout Regan], even though they both had to take a 10-minute injury break.

As the season winds downs, what goals do you have for yourself this IHSA postseason?

O’Fallon: My goals for the IHSA postseason are to put everything I have out on the courts and make it as far as I can.

Do you have any college plans? If so, do they involve sports?

O’Fallon: I plan to attend a four-year university, but I’m still undecided if I’ll play tennis in college.