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Sussex Academy XC teams win Henlopen South

Girls capture sixth title in a row, boys build streak up to four years
Sussex Academy junior Riley Moriarty wraps up as the Seahawks’ top finisher at the Tidewater Classic Oct. 1. She led the girls’ pack for the whole season. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
October 30, 2025

Running is serious business at Sussex Academy, as the girls and boys that combine their campus with Sandhill Fields in the fall make paths carved out by winners.

While the Henlopen Conference Championship will decide the winners of that day, both Seahawks teams wrapped up regular-season Henlopen South titles earlier in the month when they defeated Lake Forest.

“Both of our boys’ and girls’ teams realize there are some Southern Division programs that have been around for many years, and while recently we have been the champions – the girls longer than the boys – Sussex Academy's cross country has a target on their backs,” said coach Jay Diaz. “Those teams are building year after year, and the Seahawks need to keep the rosters strong to stay ahead of the performances and packs that are coming our way.”

The girls were led by Riley Moriarty, Jordan Blades, Katya Geyer, Taegen Forester and Jaslene Brunskill, a pack that was in contention to finish 1-2-3-4-5 in quite a few runs. It is the sixth straight Henlopen South title for the squad.

On the boys’ side, Ryan Moody made tremendous strides to become one of the best runners in the state. He was pushed by his brother Ben Moody, senior Will Parker and a pair of eighth-graders, Seth Moore and Nolan Furlong. For the boys, it was their fourth year in a row rocking the regular-season crown.

Seahawks freshman Jordan Blades, shown at the Tidewater Classic, continued to improve and was able to tie Riley Moriarty in the Lake Forest meet.
Sussex Academy senior Katya Geyer does not know what it’s like to not be a Henlopen South champion, winning the regular season title every year of her career.
Seahawks sophomore Taegan Forester wraps up her run at the Tidewater Classic.
Sussex Academy senior Ryan Moody, shown winning the Tidewater Classic, led the Seahawks to their fourth straight title Henlopen South title.
Seahawks senior Ryan Moody accepts his award after running the Winter Place Park course in 15:56 to win the Tidewater Classic.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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