Athletes of the Week Aug. 2

Nick Arnold 

A 6-foot-4, three-year starting defender on the Division II Wingate University lacrosse team, this 2021 Cape graduate has laid down the hammer this summer for the Shorebreak lacrosse team, leading them to the DE Turf Summer League championship last week. While at Cape, Nick received first-team All-Henlopen Conference and first-team all-state honors, and he continues to garner accolades at Wingate University, where he has been voted All-South Atlantic Conference for the past two seasons. During the 2024 season, Nick was credited with 19 caused turnovers and scooped 24 ground balls for the 11-5 Bulldogs. "Nick is a great guy and an outstanding lacrosse player," said Cape coach Geoff Shupard. “He's a hard worker and is truly dedicated to the sport.”

Franc Cook

This 2008 Cape grad held down the winning defense in the cage for the Shorebreak Lacrosse Club at the DE Turf Summer League championships, where he made a combined 24 saves in goal during the semifinals and the championship game. A two-time All-American and four-time All-Old Dominion Conference selection at Lynchburg College, Franc has coached at all levels of collegiate lacrosse. He has coached at the JUCO level at Delaware Tech, Division III Arcadia University, Division II Colorado Mesa University and Division I Jacksonville University. Franc is the founder and director of Shorebreak Lacrosse, which aims to grow the sport of lacrosse in Delaware through programs and community engagement. Franc is also a volunteer lacrosse coach for the Cape Henlopen Vikings. He is the program manager of athletics for the Terry Campus of Delaware Tech. 

Bob Paulen

A retired Methodist minister, and a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Yale Divinity School, Bob is an 87-year-old masters track athlete who has lived in Dewey Beach since 2010 and competes for the Potomac Track Club out of Maryland. At the USATF Masters Track and Field Championships held July  27-28, in Sacramento, Calif., Bob helped Potomac place second among 200 clubs by capturing gold medals in the high jump, triple jump, and short and long hurdles. “The weather was quite hot. On the hottest day, it was 107 degrees with a temperature of 140 degrees on the track. We spent a lot of time under tents and hydrating,” he said. Bob wanted to thank the outside staff at Cape Henlopen for being so accommodating and making the track accessible to Bob for training. More than 1,400 athletes competed in the USATF competition. Bob served 37 years in Maryland as the pastor of several United Methodist churches.     

Ahmere Peterson

A rising fifth-grader at Milton Elementary School on the Lewes 8-10 Pat Knight baseball team, Ahmere pulled off the ultimate defensive play at third base last week against a tough Georgetown squad. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ahmere snagged a line drive, tagged out a runner and threw to second to get a triple play. The feat even left a 21-year veteran umpire shaking his head in disbelief. Throughout the tournament, Ahmere made several diving defensive plays, including two over-the-shoulder catches to rob the opponents of extra bases. "What sets Ahmere aside from most players, though, is his respectful attitude, his eagerness to learn and his willingness to do whatever is asked of him," said manager Patrick Jackson. "He truly is the epitome of a team player and an absolute pleasure to be around.” When he’s not playing baseball, Ahmere loves to play football.