Athletes of the Week March 2

Mason Ankrom

This Sussex Central freshman came into the state championship tournament seeded third at 106 pounds and ended up in the finals against top-seeded Joey Natarcola of Smyrna. “We’re friends who’ve been wrestling in tournaments since we were 7,” said Mason. He won what many considered the most electrifying and competitive match of 14 finals when he reversed Joey in the waning seconds of regulation for an 8-7 victory. “I just couldn’t believe I won a state title as a freshman,” Mason said. “I love the sport and the competition. Three more years, and there’s just so much talent in our state.” Mason is an A/B student.  He said his strength is legs on top – throw leg in and sink the power half. State champion Mason Ankrom finished the year with a record of 40-10.  

Hassan Corbin

"I just try to play hard every night," said this Woodbridge senior who spent his middle school years at Mariner Middle. "I think we can give any team a run for their money." He has scored 404 points so far this year for the Blue Raiders, and he leads them in almost every aspect of the game. He recently scored 27 points against Indian River in the opening round of the state tournament Feb. 27. "He's a great kid on and off the court," said Woodbridge head coach Julius Cannon. "He does great in his classes and leads this team by example. He plays with emotion, but he knows how to channel it. Just a good kid. Does everything I ask him to do. He's our go-to guy."

Mi’Cah Shelton 

A junior forward for the Henlopen Conference Champion Sussex Tech Ravens, this honor roll student helps her squad in more ways than just scoring points. "She's kind of the comedian of the team," said head coach Justin Davis. "She keeps it light for us. Athletically she's a strong girl who can handle herself at the post position. She gives up a lot of size in there against most teams that we play, but she's the second-leading rebounder for our team. She can handle the ball and can step out and hit the three." When not on the hardwood, she throws the discus (109 feet is her best) and the shot (personal best of 34 feet) for the Ravens track team. A criminal justice major at Tech, she sees her future as a forensic scientist.

Rashad Stratton

Sussex Central’s 132-pound wrestler won his second consecutive state title Feb. 24 in the DIAA finals, outlasting Nick Natarcola of Smyrna 4-2. Stratton was the 126-pound state champ in 2017, while Natarcola was the 120-pound champion. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to hang on for the state title against a great wrestler like Nick,” Rashad said. “I could feel myself slipping at the end. I was relieved I won it.” Rashad had lost to Natarcola in the Henlopen finals the previous week. “That loss made me a better person and helped me handle adversity,” he said. Stratton is a cousin to JJ and Andre Currie of Cape, and Tashon Knight of Indian River. “I want to wrestle in college somewhere, maybe Division III,” he said. “The sweep single is my signature move.” He finished the year 38-5. He started wrestling at age 7 with the Henlopen Hammers.