Athletes of the Week Feb. 12

Luke Bender

Sophomore Luke Bender finished third in the state last year as a freshman at 132 pounds. This season, he has moved up to 145 and has not been seriously challenged. “He is a hard worker in the wrestling room, asks questions and always wants to improve,” said coach Chris Mattioni. “Luke is a perfect 10-0 on the season with three pins. He had a technical fall on Saturday against Smyrna, a pin against Central and Laurel this week. Luke is highly skilled, moves well on the mat and is hard to score on. He is the most technically sound wrestler on the team. He is a pleasure to coach and an all-around good kid. He is performing well on the mat and in the classroom, taking honors-level classes.” Wingspan Gumby don’t play, and the name “Bender” fits Luke perfectly. 

Alexa Dougherty

This Cape sophomore is trying track for the first time to get ready for lacrosse. She may have found a new sport, which is her sport. “I just really love it,” Alexa said during practice. Alexa triple jumped 30 feet the first day she tried the event, and the next day she long jumped 15 feet on her first try. “I’ve never had an athlete pick up those events so quickly,” said coach Tim Bamforth. “She is on a level with Alia [Marshall] and Tia [Jarvis].” Alexa said: “I like running the 400 and the relays. I just really like it all.” Alexa is an honors student who attended Beacon Middle School. Her stepdad is Jeremy Navarre, a defensive end who played football at the University of Maryland, then in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals.  

C.J. Fritchman

Sophomore C.J. Fritchman finished sixth in the state last year in the 126-pound weight class. C.J. has moved up four weight classes and is now competing at 152. “He is solid muscle and is wrestling with a lot of confidence,” said coach Chris Mattioni. “He is a perfect 10-0 on the season with three pins. C.J. had a pin Saturday against Smyrna and Monday against Central. He was key in the victory over Sussex Central. He is a hard worker who hates to lose. He is willing to put in extra time to master his technique. C.J. is wrestling with a tremendous amount of confidence on the mat this year. He is a straight-A student in honors classes.” Fritchman is also a running back in football and face-off specialist in lacrosse. 

Summer Reynolds

“Summer is a freshman, but it feels like she has been on our team forever,” said her cheerleading coach Courtney Hennessey. “She never misses a practice, works hard and never gives up on her teammates. Whatever they need, she is there, even if that’s coming early or staying late to help them hit their stunts. She may be the smallest, but has the biggest heart on this team.” Summer takes all honors courses and an AP class. She comes out of an all-star gymnast program. She is 5-foot-2 and 95 pounds of fearless, athletic explosiveness. She is a forward tumbler and backward tucker; the handsprings and cartwheels are just warm-ups. She’s straight out of Beacon Middle School.