Cape sports excel this spring

Athletes in the Cape Henlopen School District put together a historic spring season, claiming two team state championships, a few individual track titles and fielding numerous successful teams. Cape has always been known to have a strong athletic program, but this spring was a notch above, as each of the high school’s 10 varsity teams finished with winning records.

Vikings athletes played in three state championship games last weekend. The girls’ lacrosse team and baseball squad were triumphant in their quest for a title. The boys’ lacrosse team gave perennial powerhouse Salesianum all it could handle, but fell just short.

Beyond those obvious success stories, Cape also fielded a softball team that went undefeated in the regular season. The golf team won the Henlopen North in a tiebreaker head-to-head match (its first division title since 2004), then claimed the overall conference title a few days later. It finished fifth at the rain-shortened state tournament. The boys’ and girls’ track & field teams finished the regular season undefeated, and the boys’ squad fell just two points shy of winning the Division I state title. Individually, Cape athletes claimed three championships: Robert Redden in the 110-meter high hurdles; Will DiPaolo in the pole vault; and Jason Baker in the 3,200 meters. Numerous unified track athletes also shined on the biggest stage.

While the girls’ soccer team didn’t claim a conference or state title, its 12-4 record was its best in school history. The boys’ volleyball team continued its outstanding run since the program started in 2021 by posting a 10-5 record, and the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams each won nine matches.

But the success doesn’t stop there. Of the district’s 18 middle school teams, 15 posted records of .500 or better. Of those, the Fred Thomas Middle girls’ lacrosse and baseball teams each posted 10-0 records. Mariner Middle’s track team also went the entire season unscathed.

More than 950 students participated in sports this spring across the middle school and high school levels. With that level of participation, it’s no surprise Cape continues to be known as one of the state’s best athletic schools.