Athletes of the Week June 7
Alia Marshall
Arguably the fastest Cape field hockey and lacrosse player since Sarah Young, Alia was recently recognized as Cape’s Outstanding Female Senior Athlete. Alia showed up in the biggest moments ever since her freshman year in high school. She was a prime-time player on seven state championship teams – four in lacrosse and three in field hockey. This year, she pulled off a true daily double by being voted Delaware’s Player of the Year in field hockey and lacrosse. The last Viking to do that was Jacki Coveleski in 2011-12. Marshall was the recipient of the Bill Windett Memorial Scholarship, presented to her by her coaches Kate Windett Austin and Debbie Windett. She will attend Northwestern in the fall, where she plans to play field hockey.
Ce’yra Middleton
A graduated senior heading to Bowie State, Ce’yra was a thrower for the track and field team all four years indoors and outdoors, excelling in the shot put and backing that up with the discus. Throwers go off to a safe zone where flying plates and steel balls can’t hurt anyone who’s not paying attention. It is generally not a spectator sport except for immediate family members. Ce’yra’s mother Missy Biles was a thrower for Cape in the early ’80s. At the Senior Awards ceremony May 30, Ce’yra was the recipient of 10 scholarships, grants and awards, including the Bill Degnan Faith in Human Spirit Award, totaling more than $100,000.
Dane Palmer
Dane received the Male Athlete of the Year Award at Cape’s Senior Awards night. Dane was a defender in soccer, the fastest player on the field. Then he tried indoor track, where he ran the 200 in addition to doing the long, triple and high jumps. He finished off the year playing golf, where he was Cape’s most consistent player, shooting under 40 several times. In the past, he also played baseball and basketball. He’s one of those athletes who can excel in any sport. Dane was also the recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and a $16,000 scholarship from Delaware State Golf Association. He will attend James Madison in the fall.
Curtis Purnell
Curtis was a running back and return man on Cape’s football team, the fastest cat out of the backfield who also caught passes. He caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Jack Dennis in Cape’s 28-20 win at Polytech, the Vikings’ only win of the football season. In track, Curtis was a sprinter specializing in the 4-by-100 and 4-by-200 relays. He was Cape’s fastest person in the short sprints. He also ran indoor track. Curtis was the recipient of three scholarships at the Senior Awards celebration last week, earning awards from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Organization of Sussex County, the Sunshine Circle Club and the William C. Jason Comprehensive High School Alumni Association.
