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Athletes of the Week Sept. 21

September 21, 2018
John DiStefano

For John, a Cape senior cross country runner who is built for long distance, the 5K seems a bit short. It was hot enough to attract some carnivorous black flies on the Sussex Academy course Sept. 19, but John led from post to paddock, and Cape’s depth was just too much for the Seahawks in a 15-50 victory. “We had a hard practice yesterday and pretty much went tempo run today to get ready for the Middletown Invitational on Friday,” John said. “My best time last year was 17:25, and I’d love to get down into the 16s by the end of the season – that is my goal.” John plans to attend college somewhere close by, but he hasn’t made up his mind yet.

Steven Huey

Senior quarterback Steven Huey has been given the keys to the Cape football bus while Sam Jones goes through concussion protocol and freshmen Merek Harrigan-Ferro and Hank D’Ambrogi  get reps. Huey reminds fans of Sunshine from “Remember the Titans” or Jeff Spicoli, played by Sean Penn, in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” He hasn’t played since sophomore season, when he was a tough quarterback for the Cape JV team. Last week during the Nightmare in Landover, a 55-13 loss to Suitland, Steven threw two pick six passes, saw two Cape fumbles returned for scores and witnessed one punt returned for a touchdown. Huey is here because he is an undaunted warrior and he will lead his team into battle Friday at unbeaten Northeast High of Pasadena, Md. Have a good day, Sunshine, and a better night.

Austin MacElrevey

The United States Merchant Marine Academy graduate was standing on Cape’s new red track Sept. 18 hiding in plain sight amongst the Cape Henlopen cross country team. Austin is a seaman third class, which means he can work on a big ship if he wants, but you can’t. During his senior season in the spring, Austin won the ECAC outdoor championship in the 1,500 meters for Division III schools, running a personal best 3:59.08, kicking in the final 400 meters in 60 seconds. Fellow Cape runner Lance White ran 4:00.1 in high school, and Cape’s Danny Harmon ran 4:01. Austin ran 15:31 in the 5,000 in the same meet to place second. Austin won the ECAC D3 conference meet in cross country the fall of his senior year. But in fall 2018, Austin is just some guy on a red track.

Austin Mendez

Austin has gained 40 pounds since 10th grade, when he played offensive tackle and linebacker at 175. Austin is now a senior and weighs 215. He is strong, fit and fast, and he is one of those players who just keeps getting after people. “A great kid to coach,” said coach Mike Tkach, who works with the offensive line, where Austin was moved to center as everyone else ducked for cover because the offensive line is hard enough to play without having to snap the ball then collide with some big old nose tackle with a low center of gravity. The first game of the season, Austin had Jamar Cuffee lined up on his head, a 300-pound dancing bear with agility and power. “Austin is the man every practice and every game-day play,” said head coach J.D. Maull. “And he’s great in the classroom as well.”

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