Ally Diehl
A junior on the Cape basketball team, this honors student isn't skipping a beat after taking a hiatus from the sport. She has scored 12 points in the last two games and is second on the team in rebounds. "Ally is quiet but is totally zoned in during practice and games," said coach Ron Dukes. "She is always wanting to improve her game and the team’s success. She is unselfish and can hit the open person for a layup, and she has really hit her stride in shooting lately." Ally will play any position and guard anyone, doing it all with a smile on her face. Ally is the reigning 2025 Delaware Player of the Year in lacrosse, and was honored as an All-American and two-time first-team all-state selection. She also received 2025 first-team all-state honors in field hockey. In the middle of her junior year, she already owns four state championship rings. After graduation, she will be heading to University of Delaware to play lacrosse.
Angel Figueroa
If you hear a human whistle at Sussex Academy swim meets, there is a good chance it is coming from this senior. Angel has embraced his role as one of the team’s leaders. Not only does he lead by example with his performances in relays, the individual medley, butterfly and breaststroke, but he also rarely takes a breath from encouraging his teammates when he is not racing. He seems to instantly know when someone should be celebrated and when someone could use some words of encouragement. His positivity is infectious, and it is rare to find a member of the Seahawks’ squad not supporting their teammates. In the final meet of the season Feb. 2, Angel swam the backstroke, breaststroke and 400 relay, events that run consecutively. According to his coaches, the supportive nature of Angel and his fellow seniors has created an uplifting atmosphere for swimmers at all levels of experience on the squad.
Dylan Harp
This tall, fluid freshman has been a revelation all year for Cape’s cross country and indoor track teams, but he leveled up at the Ocean Breeze Invitational Jan. 31 in New York. Entered in a full mile against many of the region’s top freshmen, Dylan ran the race of his young life to place second in 4:33.45. The time ranks second all-time among Delaware freshmen and is the 16th best mark nationally for the Class of 2029. Seeded 12th in the race, Dylan trailed by six seconds at the 1-kilometer mark. He unleashed a furious kick over the final three laps and pulled even with 50 meters to go, but fell just short. Both runners smashed the previous meet record. Dylan closed the race with a 63-second final 400 meters, covering the final 200 in 30 seconds. In the last two weeks, Dylan has set school indoor freshman records in the 800, 1,600, mile, and 3,200. “He had a great cross country season, setting the Cape freshman record and running in the 16s [for 5K], and he’s kept that momentum going into indoor,” coach Matt Lindell said. “The natural talent is there, but his work ethic is there too. Even when we’re stuck running in the hallways, Dylan pushes it and gets quality mileage in.”
Norman Rust
A guard on the Cape unified basketball team, this sophomore is known as a tough defensive player who is averaging six points per game for the Vikings. He recently scored six in the paint against Seaford while crashing the boards and dishing off assists to his teammates. "This is his second year playing for us," said Cape unified head coach Katie Collick. "He is our unsung hero in the sense that he is quiet but shows up on the court when we need him. He leads by example and is always positive, and he is a great teammate. We are looking forward to the next two years with him on the team." Norman shares his talents in the spring on the unified track team where he puts the shot. He likes any activities connected to sports, and in his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and family, going to the beach, playing video games and going to Phillies games.
