Lahser’s Mollie Fox: May 14-19 Patch Athlete of the Week

Bloomfield Hills Lahser’s Mollie Fox won the Patch Athlete of the Week title for May 14-19 to become the first tennis player to earn the title in the spring season.

The Knights player picked up 426 votes after a week of unscientific polling among Patch readers in Oakland County, or 51 percent of the total votes cast (825).

She edged track and field stars Ben Hill from Royal Oak (179 votes; 21 percent) and Erin Finn (169 votes; 20 percent) to come out on top.

Fox gave her team a big boost by winning the No. 1 flight regional championship at the North Farmington regional last weekend. She beat Farmington Hills Mercy’s Winnie Karoub in the finals. Fox was one of six Knights players to reach the finals match, but the only girl to win a title. Lahser was one of three teams to qualify out of the North Farmington regional for the Division 2 state finals.

On the season, she is 26-1.

Other athletes in the poll:

Ben Hill – Royal Oak High School (Track and Field): Ben Hill qualified for the state finals in two events at the Farmington Regional last Saturday. He won a regional title in the 3,200 meter run (9:44) and with teammates Max Benoit, Blaine Anderson and Adam Quinn he also qualified for the 3,200 relay.

Erin Finn – (Track and Field): Erin Finn had no problem getting back to the state finals at the Farmington regional on Saturday. She won regional titles in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs.

Jeff Aririguzo – West Bloomfield High School (Track and Field): Jeff Aririguzo earned more medals than he had hands to carry them at the Farmington regional Saturday. Aririguzo won the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash and with teammates C.J. Brathwaite, Michael King and Kimani Elliot the 400-meter relay.

Bailey Paradiso – Marian High School (Tennis): After winning the Catholic League finals No. 1 flight title, Bailey Paradiso won a regional title at the Birmingham Seaholm regional last week in No. 1 singles.

Jake Smith – Clawson High School (Baseball): Jake Smith had a nice week at the plate for Clawson. He went 2-for-2 with two runs in an 11-1 win over Troy Bethany Christian. He also hit a two-run double to try to help his team rally in an 8-6 loss to Lakeview High School.

Previous Winners

Attention Coaches: Nominate Your Athlete

Email nominations to Patch sportswriter Mike Niziolek at redbankchi@aol.com. Nominations must be received by noon Friday for consideration. 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.