This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Vote Now: Patch Athlete of the Week, Jan. 30-Feb. 4

Vote for your favorite prep sports athlete in Oakland County or write in an athlete you think deserves recognition. You have until Friday at 9 a.m. to register your vote!

Vote here to help choose the Patch Athlete of the Week of Oakland County for the week ending Feb. 3. Last week’s poll winner was John Yurich, a member of the West Bloomfield boys swimming and diving team.

Vote for one of the following or write in your own candidate in the comments:

James Nahikian - Troy High School (Hockey): Nahikian is having an incredible stretch of games and that’s saying something for a player leading the state in scoring. Nahikian had a hat trick in a 6-3 win over Royal Oak on Wednesday. He also had a hat trick in the Colts' 8-0 win on Saturday over L’Anse Creuse. With the pair of hat tricks, Nahikian pushed his streak of scoring three or more goals to four games. The senior has scored 13 goals in the last two weeks to push his season total to 39.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Joe Krause – Brother Rice High School (Boys Swimming): Krause helped Brother Rice take home the 2012 Oakland County Swimming and Diving Championships. The sophomore finished the 200 freestyle in first place (1:43.14) and first in the 100 freestyle (47.20). He was also on the Warriors’ 200 freestyle relay team that finished in first (1:27.24).

Nick Gajdzik – Stoney Creek High School (Wrestling): The Oakland Activities Association Red and White divisions held a 12-team tournament on Saturday and Gajdzik won the 285-pound division with a win over Clarkston’s Scott Devos (7-4).

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Troy Chen – Troy High School (Boys Swimming): Chen won the 100-yard butterfly (52.99) at the 2012 Oakland County Swimming and Diving Championships. He was less than half a second away from winning a second individual title in the 200-yard individual medley. He finished in second with a 1:56.97 behind Catholic Central’s Jack Walsh, who finished in first with a 1:56.55. The sophomore was also part of the Colts’ 400-yard freestyle relay team that finished in second place (3:15.38).

Attention Coaches: Nominate Your Athletes

Email nominations to Patch sportswriter Mike Niziolek. Nominations must be received by noon Friday for consideration for the next week's poll. Please include a photo or photos of your nominee and detailed information on why he or she is a deserving candidate for the weekly award. Weekly winners are eligible for Patch Athlete of the Season recognition.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Birmingham