Athletes of the Week Sept. 13

September 13, 2024

Sophia Gulotti

After qualifying for the Life-Saving World Championships, held in the Gold Coast of Australia, this Rehoboth Beach Patrol lifeguard wasn't just happy with a trip down under, as she came to compete. The former Temple track star finished ninth in the world in beach flags, sixth in the beach sprint, sixth in the rescue tube, fifth in the ocean relay and fourth in the mixed ocean lifesaver relay. It marked the second year in a row Gulotti competed in the championships after taking first place in the beach flags competition in 2023. Fellow guard Konner Knarr also ventured down to the Gold Coast, giving RBP two representatives on the U.S. National team. Knarr took 19th in beach flags, but took home the silver medal with his second-place finish in the beach sprint competition. The pair returned home after battling on the Australian sands Aug. 30 through Sept. 8.

Jay Parrish

After an outstanding freshman season, Jay Parrish's soccer teammates elected the lad to captaincy for the 2024 season. He has scored two goals in each of the last three games for Delmarva Christian, beginning with a 4-3 win over Salisbury School Sept. 6, in which Parrish converted two penalty kicks. He said the key is to be confident, and encouraging, while adding a small prayer. The Royals dropped a tight contest to Gunston School 4-3 Sept. 10, but Parrish still netted a brace. In Delmarva Christian's 7-0 thrashing of Salisbury Christian, Parrish netted two goals yet again. With six goals in four games, he is on pace to rewrite record books at Delmarva Christian. The captain feels he is responsible for not only producing goals but also leading his teammates with a Christ-like example on and off the pitch. He said no matter if it is on the field, with friends or in the classroom, it is important to keep a level head when dealing with pressurized situations.

Nick Petito

This freshman cross country runner made a great first impression at the Lake Forest Cross Country Festival Sept. 7, clocking 17:56 for 5 kilometers to help the Cape Henlopen boys capture the team title. Nick’s performance may be the fastest debut by a ninth-grader in program history. He proved that it was no fluke four days later at a six-team meet, dropping his time to 17:34 at Sandhill Fields in Georgetown. “I did all my summer running – a lot of it at the state park and around my neighborhood – and I like to run with the older people,” Nick said. “They encourage me to run faster. It’s just practicing hard and trying my best every day.” Petito is an Academic Challenge/honors student who plays travel baseball with the Bagel Bombers. When he’s not out on the cross country course, you can find Nick on the beach.

Tate Walls

Battle of the Bone occurred Sept. 6 in Laurel featuring visiting Brandywine football at hometown Laurel. The Bulldogs would dominate 37-0; the big story was senior Tate Walls, who’s coming off a lost junior year to an MCL tear. Tate scored all 37 points in the game, including three rushing touchdowns, all in the first quarter, and a 39-yard interception for a touchdown. Walls added a 35-yard field goal and a second interception return of 26 yards in the third quarter. And he kicked four extra points. Tate is a product of Laurel’s Pop Warner program. His dad Ryan is a coach and was on the Bulldogs’ state championship teams. Tate was also on track team last spring that won Henlopen Southern Division. His plans after high school are to work with the family company – HVAC L & L Geothermal. Dillon Adams, former Cape quarterback, is Tate’s brother, and Logan Walls, a Delmar hockey player, is his sister. Beck Walls, 8, is playing for Cape Pop Warner.