Athletes of the Week for October 19, 2010 | Tri-City Herald

The Mid-Columbia Athletes of the Week for October 19, 2010.

Matt Mendenhall, Junior, Southridge

The Suns quarterback doesn’t need much motivation for this week’s game against rival Kennewick with all its playoff implications.

But being friends with several of the Lions top players, including QB/DB Drew Loftus and DE Tyler Morfin, certainly adds something to the kitty.

“It’s always the most fun game of the year,” Mendenhall said. “Bragging rights are important.”

He had plenty of those after last week’s performance in a 48-19 win over Pasco. Mendenhall was 21-for-33 for 358 yards and three TDs throwing and also ran for two more scores.

“We’ve turned into a team that passes the ball to set up the run,” said Suns coach Tony Reiboldt.

Q'n'A

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite nonsport activity: Ping-pong

Favorite athlete: Peyton Manning

Sports memory: Hit game-winning, half-court shot in eighth-grade AAU basketball championship game

Favorite class: Math

Favorite movie: Anchorman

Career plans: Landscape architect

Andrea Smith, Senior, Southridge

A starter since her freshman season, Smith has played a lot of volleyball matches in a Suns uniform, but never has one taken so much out of her than last week’s sweep of Kennewick.

She can thank a bad salad — and food poisoning — for that.

“It was unpatriotic,” she joked. “While everyone was doing the Pledge (of Allegiance) and looking up at the flag, they could see me off to the left by the trash can.”

Pre-match nausea aside, it was a big night for Smith with 25 assists, four kills and five digs.

“I thought, ‘Wow, you should eat that more often,’ ” said her coach, John Lengphounpraseut. “I hate to see her throw up, but that was good.”

Q'n'A

Favorite food: Watermelon

Favorite athlete: Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh

Sports memory: Winning 4x200 relay at state track as freshman

Favorite class: AP Government

Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber

Last book read: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Best song on your iPod: Mine by Taylor Swift.

Career plans: Veterinarian

Coaches nominations: Nicole Weinman, Richland swimming (posted a state-qualifying time in 500-yard freestyle and was on winning medley relay team as Bombers won first Big Nine title in eight years).

Nominations should be sent to sports@tricityherald.com and must be received by noon on Sunday.