Athletes of the Week Nov. 25

Maci Bradford

That Wildcat is a dog and on her way to being a Terp. From the Cape sidelines, Maci of Delmar was often referred to as "That No. 4.” She was a career stone-cold stealth assassin. Just a tremendous competitor with a great high school career. Maci had three goals in the state semifinal win over Wilmington Friends, then two goals and three assists in the state final game against Archmere. She finished the season with 49 goals and 18 assists. Maci is a five-year starter for Delmar, a two-time Delaware Player of the Year, four-time all-state first-team selection, Regional All-American and National All-American. She is currently a member of the U.S. U18 National Team. Maci will be headed to the University of Maryland next fall to play field hockey for the Terps with plans to major in education. Her sister Morgan is currently a sophomore on the field hockey team at the University of Delaware. Jodi (aunt) and Juli (mom) both played at Delaware too.

Nolan Furlong

This 9-year-old “veteran” runner from Lewes finished in the top 25 nationally for the third time last week in Shelbyville, Ind., competing in the 9-10 Bantam division at the Cross Country Coaches National Youth Championships. Nolan is a student at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, and he trains and races at Sandhill Fields. Nolan finished sixth in Indiana, running the 3K in 11:54 with a 6:10 opening mile in frigid 20-degree weather. In 2021, Nolan ran the 2K in 8:14 as an 8-year-old to finish ninth. In 2019 as a 6-year-old, Nolan ran 10:10 for the 2K for sixth. “Nolan takes his running seriously and does a great job working hard at practice and preparing for his race, not only physically but the mental prep as well,” said coach Dan MacElrevey.  “He ran a tough race from start to finish in Indiana.” Nolan ran the Sea Witch 5K Oct. 30 in 21:52, chasing his dad Gavin, who ran 19:43.

Ava Hughes

This Archmere junior goalie recorded an incredible 39 saves in a 7-1 loss to relentless Delmar in the Division II hockey finals. The Wildcats put 50 shots on goal over four periods of play. There was a sign in the Spectrum during the Flyers’ Stanley Cup run of the 1970s that said, “Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent.” It became a bumper sticker. Ava is the new DIAA tournament saves leader until someone proves differently. She is the humble human saves leader. She was getting down the entire game, sliding to block balls on the blades of crazed Cats. When Archmere’s Bela Dell’Oso scored in the first quarter, Ava ran the full field in her lunar gravity goalie suit to congratulate her. Ava has been a varsity goalie since her freshman year and the starting goalie the last two seasons. This year, she received first-team all-conference honors and first-team all-state honors. She had 146 saves this fall season, with a .9125 save percentage. Her high school career-to-date save total is 214.

Tony Palmer

This Cape Henlopen junior honor roll student has the Delaware unified sports world buzzing, as he scored four touchdowns Nov. 15 in the Vikings’ 55-42 unified flag football win over William Penn. He also garnered six sacks from his rusher position on defense to lead the Cape team in safeties. So far this season, he has scored 12 touchdowns and garnered more than 600 all-purpose yards in just four games. "Tony has really matured into a great flag football player," said Cape unified coach Drew Messick. "We haven't really seen his potential. He can run, and he is really intense on the turf." He also plays forward on the Cape unified basketball team and runs unified track & field, where he holds the 400-meter state record. He also runs the 4-by-100 relay and the 200-meter sprint. "I like to guide my team, and I like for them to guide me too," he said.