Athletes of the Week Aug. 19
Cooper Forcucci
A rising second-grader at Rehoboth Elementary School, this 7-year-old has already made a name for himself in the skimboarding world, winning the Mini Division at the 35th annual Zap Amateur World Championships of Skimboarding Aug. 13-14 in Dewey Beach. He also placed first at the Skim Jam in the Outer Banks, N.C., this summer, boosting him to receive enough points to be named the Zap East Coast Tour Mini Division Skimmer of the Year. Skimming since he was 3 years old with Alley-Oop and RELYance skim camps, he loves doing front-side liners on the local waves of Dewey. Cooper also plays soccer, basketball and his favorite sport, lacrosse, where he plays middie for the Atlantic Lacrosse Club. When not on the water or athletic fields, he is an aspiring artist who loves drawing sea creatures.
Carter Hill
A rising senior at Worcester Prep, this honors student not only garnered first place in the Junior Men's Division at the Zap Amateur World Championships of Skimboarding Aug. 13-14 in Dewey Beach, but he took top honors in the Semi-Pro Division and won the Super Heat competition. "The waves were how I like them," said Hill. Carter is a National Honor Society member who is leaning toward a future as an English teacher with a degree from either Villanova or the University of Delaware. Hill has already gotten experience as a teacher, as he is an instructor at Alley Oop Skim Camp in Dewey Beach. When not skimming, surfing or skateboarding, he runs cross country for the Mallards with a personal best time of 16:50.
Sam Ratner
This rising senior at Sussex Tech High School placed first in the Street Advanced Division at the Rehoboth Amateur Skate Jam at Epworth Skate Park Aug. 11 as part of the 3rd Annual Summer Vibes Fest. His kick flips and obstacle tricks had him on the top of the podium when the event was over, but winning competitions may not be the most satisfying thing he has accomplished. A business, finance and marketing major at Tech, he has used his business skills to raise funds for the Epworth Skate Park by creating "Shred for Threads". He collects gently used skate, surf and ski gear which is sold inexpensively to athletes who may not be able to afford new clothes and equipment. The proceeds then go to help with upkeep on the park. Looking to attend FIT, Pace University or Temple after graduation, he spends his spare time skimming, honing his photography skills and working at Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats.
Emily Redefer
A star on the shore break of the Atlantic Ocean this summer, Emily has placed in five events in the 2016 Zap Skim Series, including winning the Shore Throwdown in Florida, the Sea Bright Skim Bash in New Jersey and the Zap Amateur World Championships in Dewey Beach. She has also placed second in the South Side Shootout and third in the Outer Banks Skim Jam in North Carolina. For her efforts, she has been named Zap East Coast Tour Girls’ Skimmer of the Year for 2016. An Exile board rider for the RELYance Skim Team, she loves the local waves, shredding with air off the back of the wave and performing wraps. Always smiling, this Rehoboth Elementary rising fifth-grader is known as "Stoked" by the emcees of the events. When not skimming, she also shreds on the bass, playing for Mr. Hetfield's Rock & Roll Camp.
