Athletes of the Week July 20
Austen Cave
“He was just 17, do you know what I mean?” Austen is a senior cross country runner and lacrosse player at Delmar High School. He won the Race for the Ribbon July 14, besting a field of 410 runners with a time of 15:35, a 5:01 mile pace. Austen is looking at either Salisbury University or Frostburg State University to continue his running in college. “Delmar doesn’t have a track team, and DIAA doesn’t allow me to compete indoors as an individual,” Austen said. He also won the Doug Strong 5K June 2 in 17:26. He was 2017 Henlopen Conference individual cross country champion with a time of 16:17. Austen ran 16:16 in the 2017 Division II state championships to place sixth overall.
Jaxen Edwards
In only his second year of competing, Jaxen is continuing to be an impressive swimmer for the Sailfish of the Lewes Yacht Club. A rising third-grader at Love Creek Elementary, this 6-year-old swam four meets in five days this week. At Miles River July 12, he had three firsts and two seconds. At Sho'Men Invitational July 14, which is a distance meet, he had two silver medals and a gold. At the Swamp Swim July 15 at Green Hill Country Club, he had seven first-place finishes, three with relays. Then July 16, he had five first-place finishes, two with relays, against Sea Colony. He’s qualified for Delmarva Swim League Championships in every 8-and-under event this year as well. He also swims for Mako Swim Club in the winter. When not in the pool, you can find him playing Little League in Rehoboth, paddleboarding or fishing.
Jakob Hayes
Jakob, 13, won his age group July 14 at the Run for the Ribbon 5K in a time of 23:05, a 7:26 mile pace. Jakob is entering eighth grade at Mariner Middle School, where he will run cross country for coach Kenny Riedel. Jakob also runs for the Seashore Striders. “He’s mentally tough, determined to get faster and just scratching the surface of his talent,” Riedel said. Jakob owns personal bests of 5:53 for the 1,600 and 2:42 for the 800. He was Mariner’s fourth runner last season. Jakob is an avid reader, an honors student and a member of National Junior Honor Society. He also has a green belt in karate at Seaside Dojo, and he takes bass guitar lessons. The dedicated academic and athletic nice kid who can also play the guitar promises to go further than 5K in life’s journey.
Trent Neal
A rising fifth-grader at Shields Elementary School, this 11-year-old had quite the week of swimming for the Lewes Yacht Club swim team. He swam personal bests in two events in the meet with Sea Colony. "Trent is always willing to go the extra mile in practice," said LYC coach Strohm Edwards. "He never gives up. It's not uncommon to see Trent competing with a big smile on his face while he is racing. He just loves competing and is truly a pleasure to coach." He has qualified for the Delmarva Swim League Championships in the 50 backstroke and the 50 freestyle. He will also compete in two relays. Trent loves physical education class at Shields and is active in many different sports. When he is not swimming, he can be found walking in nature settings or playing with his friends.
