Athletes of the Week May 31

Noah Burroughs 

This Sussex Central baseball player was just named a first-team all-state outfielder, but he also pitches. He came in from the bullpen in the fifth inning and closed down the May 28 quarterfinal win over Saint Mark’s played at Sports at the Beach. His efforts helped secure a Frawley Stadium showdown with Salesianum May 30. Noah hit a game-winning, fifth-inning grand slam in the Knights’ 6-2 win over Laurel May 25 to open tournament play. Flashing further back, Noah had two hits, including an RBI double, in a 4-1 win over Cape April 23. Noah has committed to Salisbury University. Noah’s maternal grandfather, Mike Daisey, was a Cape Gazette Athlete of the Week in 1998 as a drummer and singer with The Wise Guys. A grandfather and grandson making the Cape Gazette Athletes of the week spanning 26 years has most certainly never happened before.  

Ava Calciano

A UConn commit, this Viking finished her junior season by leading her Cape team in most offensive categories while also playing great defense at shortstop. She batted .469 with 30 hits, 30 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 24 RBIs. As the Vikings’ leadoff hitter, she led the team with 19 extra-base hits, garnering nine doubles, five triples and five homers. In the playoffs, she led off the Polytech game with a solo homer. Then against Saint Mark’s, she hit a second-inning grand slam to spark the team. For her 2024 performance, she has been awarded first-team all-conference and first-team all-state honors. "Ava is a real leader on the team," said Cape coach Mike Tkach. "She is always hustling and leads the team with her work ethic. Ava played solid defense and had an incredible offensive production in the leadoff position."

Alivia Heers

This Cape third baseman had quite the junior season for the Vikings softball squad, batting .413 with nine doubles, five homers and 24 RBIs. In her postseason appearances against Polytech and Saint Mark’s, she went 6-for-9 with two doubles, two homers and six RBIs. She’s slammed 16 homers in her three years with the varsity squad. Her defense at the hot corner and as a catcher was top-shelf, going .924 on 66 chances while splitting time between the two positions. Alivia has been awarded 2024 first-team all-conference and first-team all-state recognition for her season's performance. "Alivia was very consistent for us all year, and her power was incredible toward the end of the season," said Cape coach Mike Tkach. "She leads by example by taking extra swings or fielding reps in practice."

Jeremy Vest

Jeremy was recently voted the Delaware Co-Player of the Year and helped his team into the semifinals of the state tournament with a complete-game 2-0 shutout of William Penn May 28. The senior finished the regular season 7-0 after starting eight games and surrendering only five earned runs all year. In 51.2 innings, the future Delaware State pitcher struck out 57 while only walking 14. Against the Colonials, Vest went all seven innings, striking out seven, walking three and surrendering four hits. Vest credits his belief in God and his teammates on defense for the success he has had. The southpaw's first baseball memories go back to his days in diapers. His grandfather would toss a plastic ball to him, sparking a lifelong love affair with a game he could play every day. The senior played for Vonn Reed's Bagel Bombers squad when he was young enough for travel ball.