Athletes of the Week Dec. 3

LT Messick 

Thomas the Third was the Little Big Man for the Vikings football team, enduring a physical and demanding schedule and season. Center/tackle Lucas Ruppert, whose football weight is 315 pounds, said of junior defensive back and running back Messick, “He’s like 130 pounds and the hardest hitter on the team. He gave it and took his share. There were times when I thought, he’s just not getting up, but he’d pop right up and never leave the game. He is a true tough guy.” “He is a student of the game on the field, never a problem, and does a great job in the classroom,” said coach J.D. Maull. “He’s the kind of high-character, athletic kid who is helping us build a successful program.”

Bre Reid

A Sussex Central senior volleyball player, Reid was Delaware Player of the Year at the conclusion of the 2021 season. She also plays basketball and runs track. Reid collected more than 1,000 kills in her career at Sussex Central. Bre signed a letter of intent to attend JMU in fall 2022, where she will join the Dukes volleyball team coached by Lauren Steinbrecher. Steinbrecher on Reid: "We are excited to welcome Bre Reid and her family into our volleyball program. Bre has demonstrated every quality we look for in a student-athlete: she is a bright student, a hard worker, and fits perfectly into our team culture. She has shown her dominant presence at the net, and will undoubtedly bring an amazing competitive spirit into our gym. Bre has an amazing family that we've been fortunate to get to know through the recruiting process, and we couldn't be more excited for her during such an exciting moment of her life.” Reid was simply dominant at the net on kills and blocks, adding service aces from the end line.

Randy Rickards

Randy was a 1,000-point scorer at Cape along with his running mate Ian Robertson. They own the school record for most combined dunks by two players in a season and game and helped Cape to an 18-2 record his senior year. But in 2018, a crowd came onto the court in a Northern Division playoff game at Milford, and Randy was suspended from the team for his behavior during the on-court melee. He has rebounded, pursued his education and love for basketball, and is now a junior for the Wilmington College Wildcats. He’s listed at 6-foot-7 and averaging 14 points per game. Wilmington is Division II and competes in the Central Collegiate Athletic Conference. Randy is majoring in elementary education and has always shown loyalty to Cape and Mariner Middle School. He will make a good teacher and coach.     

Julia Saleur

Cape’s French Connection plays the off guard or small forward position for Pat Woods’ girls’ basketball team and is ready for a stellar senior season. Julia has signed a national letter of intent with the Delaware State Hornets and will be playing Division I college basketball next season in the tough MEAC. Cape opens the season at home Friday, Dec. 3, against the Sussex Central Golden Knights. Coach Pat on Julia: “Julia has a great motor. She just goes and goes and goes. She loves the work and is always asking to get into the gym. Kids like that can’t help but get better. She is also very unselfish and always looks for her teammates.”