Athletes of the Week June 7
Brian Fleming
This multi-sport athlete was recently named the Cape Male Athlete of the Year. Brian is coming off a senior baseball season where he was captain and helped lead the Vikings to a 15-2 record. He earned first-team all-conference and first-team all-state honors as an outfielder. “He led our team offensively, batting .452 while collecting 28 hits,” said coach Ben Evick. “He is a true competitor that holds his teammates to a high standard. We are excited to watch his career progress at VCU next year.” In the winter, Brian helped lead the Cape swim team to a Henlopen Conference championship. He’s leaving Cape with five school records, including the 200 free and 500 free, and the 200 medley, 200 free and 400 free relays. Brian’s dad Mike coached at Cape, while his mom Jan coached softball at Milford. He played for the Bagel Bombers in his younger years.
Montana Jones
“The world was moving, she was right there with it and she was.” – Talking Heads. There is no speed in a lacrosse game that Montana cannot match. She is a sprinter, carrying the ball in her stick like a relay baton. And she never goes stupid and goes to goal. “My job is to clear the ball and get it to the offense,” Montana said. “People tell me I remind them of Taylor Gooch when she played at Cape. Running indoor track for Coach [Bamforth] helped me improve my explosiveness.” The defender whom fans call Mo Jo had it working her senior season, throwing down and getting the ball out of town when the Cape defense was pressured. Her speed was most on display in the semifinal win over Sussex Academy and in the finals against Tatnall. Montana was named first-team all-state and will continue her lacrosse career at Division II powerhouse West Chester University.
Jack Schell
A four-year multi-sport athlete at Cape, Jack is coming off two straight sports years where he started and excelled in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. He is heading to the University of Syracuse where he will play lacrosse. Cape lacrosse coach Geoff Shupard: “It’s been a lot of fun coaching Jack and watching him grow as a player. He made an immediate impact on our team, and I’m sure he will do great things at Syracuse.” Cape soccer coach Patrick Kilby: “Great athlete, wonderful leader. His mindset in his senior season set the tone for the entire team. In our goals meeting he said, ‘Why don’t we set a goal to play until there are no more games to play?’” Basketball coach Steve Re: “Jack held us together the first part of the season. We had so many younger guys with little to no varsity basketball experience; he did a great job getting us established and off to a great start.”
Betsy Tootell
Betsy checked off a box June 2, when she jumped off the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to compete in the Escape the Cape Triathlon. The 0.35-mile swim from ferry to shore was followed by a 12-mile bike ride, then a 5K run in the sand. Betsy snagged first place in the 70-74 age group. While Betsy has competed in much larger races, the jump off the ferry made this a challenge. She’s a retired Caesar Rodney teacher after 34 years who also taught classes to prisoners. Tri Coach Bruce Clayton: “Betsy is a four-time Ironman, Boston Marathoner, great friend to many, and a much-loved community member. Betsy is an all-around great person.” Betsy and husband Doug have 10 grandsons. Anyone across the generations may have a hard time visualizing their grandmother jumping off a commercial boat into a deep bay on the first leg of a triathlon. “I just always wanted to be an athlete,” Betsy said.
