Athletes of the Week Feb. 23

Kha'Nihya Johnson

A seventh-grade member of the undefeated Beacon girls' basketball team, Johnson was named tournament MVP following her 19-point performance in the Capital Classic championship against Fifer. When her team needed her most, K.J. came through in the clutch, netting 14 of those 19 in the second half and hitting crucial free throws. With her 11 in the semifinals, Johnson's 30 points in the tournament led a Beacon squad that wrapped up its third straight undefeated season. Johnson also lends her talents to the Swoopes' Hoops travel basketball team of Berlin, Md. In two months, she'll leave for a major tournament in Tennessee. Her pre-game rituals include stretching, shooting around, getting used to the court and munching on a cheeseburger. Johnson enjoys leisure time spent with friends or exploring the virtual world of Grant Theft Auto Online.

Jeffrey Rainier

Jeffrey, a senior 175-pounder on the Cape wrestling team, didn’t come out for the sport until his junior year. Coaches saw an athletically talented kid, but so raw. There were doubts he would survive the room, but he stuck. This season, he earned a spot in the starting lineup. Jeff has had his shining moments and taken his lumps. During a Cape comeback 32-30 win over Salesianum, the Vikings closed with six straight wins; the last three were pins. Jeffrey pinned Liam Gillespie in the second period as the Cape partisans roared in amazement and appreciation. Jeffrey went on to lose to Gabe Cannon in the championship match, icing the title for Central. Gabe accepted his raised hand with the class of a champion with Jeffrey standing next to him, two winners in the same game and same frame. Jeffrey rolled his ankle over the weekend and is out of the Henlopen Conference Wrestling Tournament.  

Mia Scott

This Mariner eighth-grader clinched a spot for her team in the Capital Classic Hollywood Diner final with a 15-point performance against Dover Central on Valentine's Day. Mia broke the hearts of the Senators by icing the game late with a free throw. Scott scored 10 points in the final and was named to the All-Tournament team. While she was excited to make the team, she first complimented the efforts of her teammates. Her hard work isn't limited to the hardwood, as she's vice president of the Mariner Student Council, secretary for the National Junior Honor Society and a member of the Business Professionals of America. Her favorite subject is social studies, and she hopes to play sports in college. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to places like Jamaica, Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Scott also likes to visit Universal Studios and Disney World in Florida.

Jackie Wolak

Jackie is a fifth-year graduate student playing attack for the University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team. On Feb. 16, Jackie led the Fighting Irish to a 14-10 home win over No. 1-ranked Northwestern. Jackie had four goals and two assists. She has 13 goals over four games. Jackie played high school lacrosse at Ridgewood High School of New Jersey, where she was named National Player of the Year. The family then moved to Lewes, where younger brother Andrew ran cross country and the 400 meters in track, and was a long stick middie on the Cape lacrosse team. That is the Seaside muppet connection and a reason why Jackie’s career has been followed by the Cape lacrosse crowd. Jackie’s career numbers are staggering, only the third player in Notre Dame history to score 100 points in a season as a junior. She was also 2023 USA Lacrosse Magazine and IWLCA first-team All-American.