Athletes of the Week Aug. 9

Jada Evans

Jada was a key figure in leading the District 3 All-Stars to the finals of the Senior Softball World Series in Roxana. She went 13-for-24 (.542) at the plate with seven singles, four doubles and two home runs, including a walk-off homer in the 6-5 win over Southwest July 30. From the pitching circle, she tossed 31 innings and earned a 4-2 record. She struck out 28 batters while only walking three. "Jada was the leader on that team," said District 3 manager Mike Evick. "She was the workhorse pitcher for most of the games and led the team in hitting for the week." She knocked in seven runs while scoring six herself. "It was really a fun experience," she said. "I got to meet a lot of nice people and have become great friends with them." A 4.0 honor student at Seaford High School, she will be starting her junior year in September. She also plays field hockey and basketball for the Blue Jays.

Brittany Lang

Brittany is a 21-year-old rising senior at the University of Maryland, where she runs cross country and track. Brittany jumped the shark at the Greene Turtle 5K Aug. 4, besting the field in 18:09, just ahead of friend Phil Rodgers, 39, of Ellicott City, Md., in 18:25. “She just went flying by me,” said Mike Marciano, who led halfway through the race. “She just looked so strong.” Brittany ran for Oakland Hills High School, where she won the 2012 Class 2A cross country state title and took first in the 3,200 in the 2A state championship. She runs distances at Maryland from 1,500 up to 5,000 meters. She has run a personal-best 4:59 mile and 9:54 3,000 meters. From Big Ten championships to Greene Turtle 5K, quite a contrast in competitions.   

Carlie Venables

Carlie held down the left side of the District 3 defense throughout the Senior Softball World Series, making more diving plays than Olympian Greg Louganis. Snagging hot shots from opposing batters, she had 18 assists in the tournament with a .815 fielding average. She also batted .333 from the plate with six singles and a double, knocking in three runs while scoring six. "Carlie was the defensive leader on the team," said District 3 manager Mike Evick. "She made tremendous plays all week. She gives 110 percent each time she walks onto the diamond." A rising freshman on the A honor roll at Laurel High School, she played varsity field hockey and softball as an eighth-grader. "We had a good run," she said. "It was really fun. It was my first time on the team, so I got great experience for next year." Carlie also plays for the Diamond State Swoop travel team, and in her spare time she loves listening to country music.

Andrew Weir

Andrew is a 20-year-old soccer athlete from Garnet Valley, Pa., who is entering his sophomore year at La Salle University. Andrew has been running Seashore Striders races at the beach since he was in elementary school. He showed up at the Run for Paws 5K Aug. 3, saying, “I’m not in great running shape. I’ll just go out there and do the best I can.” Andrew ran 16:42, which would win most races, good for third place, running a 5:23 pace. Last year, as a La Salle freshman, he started three games and made appearances in 10. He was a four-year starter at Garnet Valley and is one of the soccer guys who can just run all day. His mom Cheryl ran cross country for the University of Delaware, but Saturday morning, she walked the dog.