Athletes of the Week Sept. 15

Troy Humphries

Soccer players have high athletic IQs, and they know how to get lost in space. It’s all about patience and placement. In the 98th minute of a 1-1 double-overtime game versus Sussex Academy Sept. 8, Troy camped on the right goal post looking for a pass or a rebound. A shot off the crossbar careened into Troy’s neighborhood and he instinctively headed the ball into an open space for the golden goal game-winner. “It was the same situation as last year, and everyone was saying, ‘Do it again, Troy,’ and now I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that really is amazing.’” Coach Patrick Kilby said: “I expect Troy to have a big year. He is smart and he can finish.”

Adam Krim

Adam is a super kid, and not because he’s a great soccer goalie who has saved 47 shots in the last two games against Cape, only get to beat by a friend, Troy Humphries, both times on a golden goal in the 98th minute. Adam is super because he talked about his team playing so well under some adversity, but he was also quick to congratulate Humphries on his winning goal again. Adam is a top student with grades and test scores, and he certainly projects as a next-level player. “I really haven’t started to look at colleges yet,” Adam said. “I’d like to play somewhere if I could.” Former Cape and Dickinson great Andrew Williams was at the game, and he said afterward, “That’s the best single-game goalie performance I’ve ever seen at any level. That kid needs to keep playing.”

Taylor Marcotte

Taylor is 23 years old and a loyal Cape guy although he graduated online, admitting to being somewhat of a hardhead in his younger days. He was at Cape last week meeting with Bill Collick about a chance to talk to the gentlemen’s club about his transformation and focus to do positive things like mixed martial arts. Taylor looks the part - 140 pounds of sinewy muscle and no body fat. He is getting ready for his first fight Sept. 23 in Manassas, Va. “It’s my first-ever amateur fight,” Taylor said. “I train using all the martial arts and my own body weight.” Taylor added: “Those weight-room muscles just blow you up. I need a body that performs and can take a hit.” Let the journey begin.  

Kolbe O’Donnell

Kolbe, a junior at Cape, ran a 4:30 mile his freshman year at a New Jersey high school in Point Pleasant. But in the summer of 2016, Kolbe broke his neck in a surfing accident. He was 15 years old, rolling in the white water, unable to move or speak. “I thought it was over,” he said. “But my friends noticed and saved me.” Kolbe had shattered his C5 vertebra. Later that day he was operated on at Jersey Shore Hospital - six bolts and a metal rod - and he was at Magee Rehabilitation Center the rest of the summer. Last Saturday at the Lake Forest Invitational, Kolbe ran 17:48 for a 5K and was Cape’s second man. “I’m in my second full year of recovery,” he said. “I still have patches of numbness on my right side.” More on Kolbe as the season progresses.