By Hugh Bernreuter | hbernreu@mlive.com

As October approaches, so do the fall sports tournaments, with Saginaw-area athletes preparing for post-season competition.

Girls golf is the first to hit the post-season with regionals on Oct. 9, with boys soccer districts and boys tennis regionals starting Oct. 11.

Saginaw-area athletes are making some noise before the tournaments though, giving fans reasons to cheer and reasons to vote for the Saginaw-area Athlete of the Week for Sept. 17-23.

Fans can vote until 5 p.m. Monday. Coaches are asked to nominate athletes for the weekly honor by Monday.

John Talbot, Chesaning soccer

John Talbot led Chesaning to a pair of wins in different ways. In a 1-0 win over Byron, Talbot earned the shutout in goal, making four saves. In an 8-0 win over Montrose, Talbot scored a goal with an assist.

Olivia Boensch, Carrollton volleyball

Carrollton knocked of Nouvel (25-18, 25-22, 25-22) in a Tri-Valley Conference match with Olivia Boensch getting 19 kills and 16 digs in the match.

Audrey Geer, Frankenmuth volleyball

Frankenmuth claimed a pair of wins, with Audrey Geer leading the Eagles to a Tri-Valley Conference win over Alma. Geer had 11 kills and 10 digs in a 25-9, 25-9, 25-7 win over the Panthers. Frankenmuth also topped Lansing Catholic Central, 25-13, 25-21, 25-23 behind Geer’s 16 kills and 16 digs.

Nicole Giardina, Midland Dow

Midland High split a pair of Saginaw Valley League games, beating Heritage (11-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 15-12) and losing to Mount Pleasant (25-19, 25-20, 25-22). Against Heritage, Giardina had 16 kills and 16 digs, adding 11 kills, 12 digs and three aces in the loss to Mount Pleasant.

Laken LeBaron, Freeland volleyball

Freeland topped Essexville Garber (25-21, 25-15, 25-21) in a Tri-Valley Conference matchup, with LaBaron pacing the Falcons with 34 assists.

Landon Pestrue St. Louis cross country

Landon Pestrue claimed first place in the Delta Invitational, edging teammate Ben March for honors. Pestrue finished the 2-mile course in 10:14.31.

Averie Pumford, Freeland golf

Averie Pumford claimed medalist honors at the Dow Invitational, carding a 75 at the Midland Country Club, leading the Falcons to a first-place team finish with a 358. Pumford also claimed medalist honors in the Tri-Valley Conference jamboree at Pine River Golf Course in Standish, with Freeland taking first with a 385.

Mary Richmond, Frankenmuth cross country

Mary Richmond took advantage of the home-course advantage, winning the Eagles Invitational. She finished in 19:31.96.

Kayla Riley, Millington volleyball

Kayla Riley had 13 assists, eight aces and eight digs in a 25-18, 25-12, 25-10 win over Caro. She followed with 17 assists and seven aces in a loss to Valley Lutheran (25-15, 25-15, 16-25, 28-26).

Emmy Sower, Midland Dow swimming

Emmy Sower set a Tri-City Swim Meet record in the preliminary heats, winning the 100-yard butterfly in 57.53 seconds. She followed with a win in the 100 butterfly finals in :58.09 with a leg on Dow’s winning 200 medley relay (1:51.88).

Josh Thurlow, Midland High

Midland High earned a couple Saginaw Valley League ties, with Josh Thurlow scoring the lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Flint Powers. Thurlow also scored a goal and assist in Midland’s 3-3 tie against Lapeer.