Athletes of the Week Dec. 8

Noah Garrison

This 17-year-old Sussex Academy senior by way of Milton was the captain of the Seahawks cross country team this fall. He decided to run the Rehoboth Marathon to test his focus and endurance ... and because he’s a runner. Not many teenagers elect to run a marathon; it’s more of an older runners’ proving ground. Noah’s time was 4:35:25, placing him fifth in the 18-and-under age group. Coached by Jeff Bixler, Captain Garrison ran in the 22-minute range for 5Ks. It’s not the Seahawks’ fastest time, but his toughness and leadership helped his teammates on a relatively new team on the cross country scene.

Niyashja Mosley

This junior is easily Cape’s most improved girls’ basketball player only two games into the season. Mosley scored 16 first-half points in the home opener Dec. 6 against Sussex Central, as the Vikings trailed 24-23. Lack of depth caught up to Cape, as Mosley finished with 20 points in a 56-38 loss. Niyashja scored 11 in the season opener at Smyrna Dec. 1 in a 48-22 win over the Eagles. “Niya has rebounded and scored for us this season, and she has dedicated herself to being the best player she can be,” said coach Lauren Carra. She has the ability to pull post players out and attack the rim and hit the open jump shot while creating opportunities for her teammates. Niya is a tough matchup for any player in the Henlopen Conference.

Ian Robertson

Ian became part of Cape folklore Dec. 6 at Sussex Central, scoring a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. He also threw in four blocks to spice up his effort, but it was his three dunks, including a two-hander in traffic and a left-handed tomahawk chop, that were the highlights of the night. Everyone figured the 6-foot-5 forward could dunk in the open court, but not that emphatically. Add five dunks by Randy Rickards for a total of eight on the night, and we have a school record, unless someone from the previous 48 years can prove differently. “Ian and Randy can bring that level of game every night. We’re at Sanford Friday, so we’ll see what’s up,” said coach Steve Re.

Holly Wilson Smith

Holly is a 33-year-old mother of two girls who’s married to Brandon Smith, a former Lehigh soccer player. If Holly were porch furniture, she’d be an easy glider because she just never looks like she’s working hard. Holly was the first female finisher in the Rehoboth Marathon Dec. 2. She had hoped to break three hours, but settled for a 3:01:02. Holly came through the half marathon in 1:30:24. Just amazing consistency over 26.2 miles, averaging 6:54 per mile. Holly is out the door on training runs by 5 a.m. “Meryl is 4 and Sunny is 2,” Holly said of her daughters. “Brandon played soccer for Lehigh, and I went to University of Delaware. If you ask both girls, they will tell you, ‘Daddy is a Mountain Hawk and Mommy is a Blue Hen ... Mommy wins because Blue Hens are always fighting.’” Brandon ran 3:52:11.