Athletes of the Week Dec. 25

Reagan Ciabattoni

Rock it old school back to 1960: “She’s a mean motor scooter and a bad go-getter.” That describes Reagan when the ball is dropped between the lines, but otherwise she is just the nicest kid. Just don’t cross sticks with her. Reagan was named the 2020 Player of the Year in Delaware Division I field hockey, helping Cape to its ninth state title in the last 10 years. A cage fighter with a mask, Reagan plays defense when the other team gets a corner and charges the ball with no regard for life or limb, for herself or the shooter. And on offensive corners, her high-ball hitting and backhand slapping are legendary. Her goals are always heard before seen, like thunder and lightning. Reagan joins Jacki Coveleski, Tiara Duffy, Tess Bernheimer, Alia Marshall and Cami Smith as Vikings who’ve earned Player of the Year. Reagan will play club ball this winter and in the spring help out the girls’ track team.  

Jacob Dempsey

Sussex Central’s Jacob Dempsey had a huge impact from his defensive tackle position, leading the Golden Knights to the Division I state championship with a 28-19 win over Middletown Dec. 19 in Dover. Dempsey had 14 tackles, including eight solos, a sack and a forced fumble in the championship game. The Cavaliers’ halftime adjustments included double-teaming Dempsey and at times triple-teaming him, opening up the Central linebackers to make plays. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior was selected as a first-team all-conference defensive end this season. Dempsey recorded 76 total tackles, with 43 solo, and 14 tackles for a loss with 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Dempsey also rotated in the Knights’ offensive line late in the season, including the state championship game.

Kyle Lux

This baseball player out of Lewes and Sussex Tech is now a redshirt senior outfielder for the McPherson College Bulldogs. Kyle was recently named to the first-team NAIA preseason All-American team based on his 2019 performance in 25 games before the season was cut short. Kyle and others were given the option to come back because of the COVID-shortened season. Kyle had a phenomenal spring before it was cut short, hitting .464 with 16 home runs. Those 16 homers set a new Bulldogs single-season record, accomplished in just 25 games. There are 250 universities/colleges with 65,000 athletes competing. NAIA schools do offer athletic scholarships. 

Tony Palmer

An athlete for the Cape Henlopen unified flag football team, this freshman was a powerhouse on offense and a force on defense this fall, leading his team to a semifinal berth in the DIAA Unified Flag Football State Tournament. Tony scored 16 points in the 36-22 semifinal loss to Caesar Rodney. He ran for two touchdowns and a two-point conversion, and sacked the Riders’ quarterback in their end zone for a safety. "I feel great about the game," said Palmer. "It's awesome being out here playing the sport I love." Even though he scored most of the Vikings' points, his favorite position in the game is as the defensive rusher. "Tony rushing their quarterback was a big part of our success in our last two games," said assistant coach Theresa McCloy. The Vikings defeated Appoquinimink 39-33 to move to the semifinal game. Tony's favorite subject is civics, and when he’s not practicing football, you can find him playing video games.