Athletes of the Week May 24

May 24, 2024

Cardin Benjamin

This Cape junior, a soccer player who runs track in the spring, is the academic/athletic cross-fit who has been Mr. Versatility on the track, running everything from the 800 to the 1,600 to the 3,200, often all in the same meet. Cardin closed out his junior season by competing in the Meet of Champions, where he placed fourth in the 1,600 meters in 4:24, then came back to post a 1:58 in the 800 meters, good for seventh place. Carter was Cape’s leading scorer in the Division I state meet as the Vikings grabbed second place behind Salesianum. He established a personal-best time of 1:57 in the 800 after placing second in the 1,600 in 4:26.7. “I take AP and honors classes, with math being my strongest subject,” Cardin said. “Soccer is my sport, but I may see if I can run a few cross country races in the fall if the coaches are OK with that.”

Ally Diehl

Ally is closing out her freshman year as a two-sport starter on two of Cape’s strongest girls’ programs. Blessed with natural speed, she earlier won the Jim Blades Middle School Invitational in the 200 in 26.3 with no training and was on Beacon’s undefeated field hockey and lacrosse teams. At Cape, she played defense and midfield for the state championship field hockey team this past fall. Ally has been a starter on the undefeated girls’ lacrosse team and became a scorer in the playoffs, notching four goals in a 16-8 win over Archmere and coming back with a two-goal effort in a 20-12 win over Sussex Academy. “Our lacrosse team is really fast,” Ally said. “Everyone on the field can run and run all day.” “Ally has been doing a great job this year,” said coach Lindsey Underwood. “She has stepped into a starting role, and has been steady and consistent from day one. She scraps well in the midfield and has great speed in transition.”

Haley Gamuciello

A left-handed starter on attack for the Cape girls’ lacrosse team, Haley can catch the ball in traffic and put it in the net before a defender knows she shot it. In the tournament win over Archmere, she had three goals, and followed that up with a two-goal effort in the win over Sussex Academy. Find a big game on the schedule like the 12-7 home win over Ocean City, N.J., and you’ll find Haley with multiple goals. In the first game of the season, she scored a crucial goal in an 8-7 win over Broadneck. “Haley has a fast first step and quick release of the ball, making her an effective high attacker,” said coach Lindsey Underwood. “A natural lefty gives the attack an additional look we haven’t had in a few years.” Haley played JV field hockey last fall, but look for her to push for a varsity spot as a sophomore.

Katya Geyer

Katya celebrated her May 17 birthday by becoming the Division II state champion in the high jump after clearing the 5-foot mark at the state track meet May 18. After clearing 5-2 earlier in the year, the Sussex Academy sophomore was seeded No. 1 heading into the championships but had to overcome adversity. Her first two jumps at 4-8 did not go as planned, but she adjusted and calmed herself to get over on her third attempt. Her first attempt at 5 feet also did not stick with the script, but she remained focused to seal the deal for first place. Geyer said she was ecstatic when she made her jumps to clinch the title and thinks the addition of Charlie Pollard to the coaching staff unlocked her full potential. Katya has come a long way in 11 months after an injury last June. As part of her recovery, she held off on distance for the winter season, focusing more on refining her high-jump technique.