Athletes of the Week Jan. 12

Brady Cole

This senior Cape grappler shows up in the lineup at 157 or 165 pounds. He has evolved over the last four years and is now ranked in the top six statewide in his weight class. Brady is 7-1 over his last eight matches, including wins versus Sussex Central and Polytech and a 5-1 record at the Iron Horse duals. “I worked on Rehoboth Beach Patrol the last two summers and absolutely loved it,” Brady said. “Coming from the culture of the wrestling room, I just love working out every day." Brady plans to go to nursing school and earn a four-year degree. His mom's dad and brother were both wrestlers. Coach Chris Mattioni said: "He won 19 matches last year and was a state qualifier. Brady is a smart kid who excels in the classroom, taking honors and AP classes. He is one of our team captains who always leads by example. He currently has a 16-7 record with seven pins."

Stephen Hart

Stephen is a Cape junior who looks genetically engineered to be a high jumper. At the Golden Wolves Invitational on the campus of Alvernia University Jan. 5, Stephen won the high jump, clearing 6-feet-2-inches on his first attempt. Stephen's coach Ellis Gaulden was a 7-foot jumper and Big East champion at the University of Connecticut. And doubling down, Stephen’s dad David was a 7-1 high jumper at Purdue University. Stephen jumped 4-10 in seventh grade. The thinking is once outdoors, there is no ceiling for him in the high jump. Cape’s Charles Turner (1978) and later Rodney Smith (1984) both cleared 6-10. After 40 years, it may be time for another one. “Stephen just ticked the bar at 6-4 on Sunday,” Gaulden said. “I think he'll get 6-4 before the indoor season is over.” “I do the other jumps, but basically I’m a high jumper,” Hart said. Stephen takes honors and AP classes, and does Academic Challenge.

Bernard Jones

Bernard describes his class schedule as "honors everything." He is an effervescent Cape sophomore and track athlete who resembles the Sixers' Tyrese Maxey in looks and personality. At the Golden Wolves Invitational on the campus of Alvernia University Jan. 5, Bernard jumped 5 feet beyond his personal best, nailing a 44-5 triple jump to win the event. “My middle phase is weak and needs some work,” Jones said. "Coaches have been working with me on the hurdles, but right now I jump too high over them.” Bernard also earned a personal best in the long jump, placing fourth in 21-2. "I’d like to work my way onto that 4-by-200 relay team," he said. Bernard's family moved to the Cape Region from Allentown, Pa., when he was in fourth grade. Bernard’s goals this spring are a 23-foot long jump and 46-foot triple jump.  

Brady Mauro

Brady Mauro is a rare combination of personality traits: the laid-back, adventurous type, a solid honors and AP student, and part of a pole vaulting trio that includes Eddie Houck and Bailey Fletcher. Brady won the pole vault at the Golden Wolves Invitational Jan. 5, clearing a personal-best 12 feet. He was told, "Pretty sure Cape has never had three vaulters over 12 feet.” To which Brady responded, “I have no idea.” And why would he? He transferred to Cape from California. Brady plays ice hockey (he’s a Penguins fan) and is a midfielder in lacrosse. He is looking at the University of Delaware and University of Pittsburgh as college choices. “Brady is definitely a sleeper,” said coach Ellis Gaulden. “He spends a lot of time in the winter playing ice hockey.”