Athletes of the Week July 17
Thomas Aloe
A first-team all-state athlete in soccer and lacrosse at Caesar Rodney, Thomas was also a U.S. Lacrosse All-American. He was a graduate student at University of Delaware and is now heading to Rutgers University for dental school. He earned the Colonial Athletic Association Leadership and Sports Excellence Award for lacrosse. Aloe, a four-year member of the UD men's lacrosse team as a long stick midfielder, graduated with a degree in biological sciences in May. A two-year team captain, Aloe was named a USILA Division I Scholar All-American earlier this week. Aloe was a second-team All-CAA selection in 2019, and helped lead the Blue Hens to the CAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
Gavin Furlong
This 37-year-old runner is always so cool and in control, but he lost his mind on a hot and humid Saturday, July 11, running 50 miles over 10 hours. “I was good for 25 and then my system went into distress, so I slowed considerably for the second half of the run,” Gavin said. “I lost eight pounds during the run. The next time I attempt an ultra distance, it will not be in the summer. No way I could have taken in enough fuel and fluids even with a cooperative stomach.” Gavin was signed up for the canceled Leadville 50-Miler in Colorado. “I didn’t want to put my training to waste,” he said. Gavin and his wife Dawnyel are graduates of Caesar Rodney and the University of Delaware. They moved to Lewes in 2007. Their children are Nolan and Nora. “My first 5K was at 35 years old, and I ran 26 minutes. Nolan runs 22 minutes as a 7-year-old,” Gavin said.
Joe Pizzo
On a hot night in July when Cape football is permitted to practice under COVID-19 guidelines, it’s hard to know who is going to show up. It’s always nice when a transfer kid is in the network and shows up on time then breaks off to go with the lineman for “stupid linemen tricks.” And if that lineman is 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and can move, it’s all the better. “I was a freshman last year at Garnet Valley,” said Joe “Two Zs” Pizzo during a quick sideline interview. “I also play basketball, so I’m trying to show up at all the workouts, but sometimes football and basketball are on the same nights. I’ll figure it out.” Joe has been coming to the Rehoboth area since he was a kid, so he’s very familiar with the local scene and knows several of the players. And he comes from a seriously good program in Garnet Valley, many times Central League Champions.
Nolan Shearer
Nolan plays for the 2022 and 2023 squads of the Saltwater Lacrosse Club, which is based on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. The JM Bennett Clipper looked tough last week scoring power goals in crucial situations as Saltwater went 4-0 in a showcase tournament at DE Turf. Saltwater coach Tom Incontrera said of him, “Nolan is a great athlete and leader. He has a great understanding of the game, and knows when to settle the ball and when we need to push it. He never gives up on the play, which is the most important thing in an athlete. He goes 100 percent the entire time.” Nolan also plays football, but lacrosse is his No. 1 sport. Nolan had his best game against the toughest opponent, scoring a pair of dramatic goals as Saltwater held off Top Caliber of Virginia 9-7. His sister Hope plays lacrosse at Shippensburg.
