Athletes of the Week Feb. 17

Madison Caldwell

A four-year starter on the girls’ swim team, Madison swam her personal best in last week’s Henlopen Conference Championships, where she finished the 50 freestyle in 28.06 and the 100 free in 1:02.9. She will be representing the girls’ team in the DIAA Championships at the UD Aquatic Center Feb. 22. She will also compete in the 400 freestyle relay. "Madison always gives 100 percent," said Cape coach Bill Geppert. "She is such a valuable asset to our girls’ team, and she scores so many valuable depth points in big meets." An honors and AP honor roll student, Madison is also a member of the Cape Chorale choir group, the Leo Club, the honor society and president of the Green Club. When she’s not swimming for the team, you can find her participating in obstacle course mud runs or surfing. 

Will Geppert

A senior honors and AP student at Cape, this swimmer will represent the Vikings at the DIAA State Swimming Championships Feb. 21 at the University of Delaware. He qualified for states in the 50 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke by setting personal-best times during last week’s Henlopen Conference Championship, where he finished second in the breaststroke. "Will has been a vocal leader all season for us," said Vikings coach Bill Geppert. "He has been battling a shoulder injury all season, but his steady performance is a big reason we had an 11-3 record." Geppert is a three-sport letter winner for the Vikings. He also plays soccer and baseball. He will be attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy after graduation, where he hopes to continue his baseball career. When not participating for Cape, he enjoys surfing, fishing and hunting.

Taylor Gooch

“Run, Taylor, run!” Taylor was a risk as a Division I recruit, a defensive specialist who cleared the ball by outrunning everyone chasing her. But did she have the stick skills to throw and catch against D1-level talent. Temple took a chance, then early in fall ball, Taylor ruptured her Achilles tendon. She could have crawled home to Cave Neck Road, but she just kept smiling and persevered to the dean’s list freshman year then saw limited action this fall. But now that the spring season has started, Taylor Gooch is on the field at crunch time for the 2-0 Owls. She is Goochy Cool, totally ready to step up and step out of the shadows. 

Brock Maloomian

Who gives up golf to focus on wrestling and lacrosse? That would be Brock Maloomian. Brock is the guy who slides between 182 and 195 depending on who is ducking whom, as Holden Kammerer can also grapple at either weight class. Brock gave Cape a lift and a chance at the state duals Feb. 14, with a 10-7 win by decision at 195 over Sussex Central’s Michael Wright, coming after good guys on good guys matches at 170 and 182 fell in Central’s corner. “Brock’s an athlete who just kept getting better, and such a tough kid,” said coach Chris Mattioni. Brock wrestled 182 against Milford and beat Bevensky Augustine 11-9. Before that, he pinned Nicholas Atehortua of St. Georges Tech.