Athletes of the Week May 27

Kelly Bragg

Unabashed and unafraid, Kelly Bragg approaches the game of lacrosse with aggressive happiness. She is at her best on the dead run catching a pass from midfield then rolling straight down Broadway before unleashing a hard shot. Kelly never gets cheated; she is all about the competition. Kelly is also dangerous as a cutter, where she can catch and shoot in one motion. These skills were all on display May 24, as Kelly went full-boat Boz, scoring six goals in a semifinal game win over Tower Hill. Kelly also played field hockey and basketball this season, and she will play Division I lacrosse next year at Mount Saint Mary’s. “Kelly spent more time shooting on the wall than any player that’s been here,” said former JV coach Debbie Windett.     

Maren Buckaloo

This lacrosse senior has put in her time and paid her dues, doing all the things that Cape laxers do year-round. Now starting on attack, Maren is a sure-sticked feeder and finisher. In a 21-11 semifinal win over Tower Hill May 24, Maren scored six goals and dished off two assists for eight points. In fact, 11 of Cape’s goals came on assists. Looking back on the season, Maren showed up best in the better games, like her three-goal, one-assist performance in a 15-11 win over Sussex Academy, three points in a 9-8 win over Queen Anne’s and three points in a 16-13 loss to Broadneck. The stats from Thursday night’s state championship game versus Tatnall were not available by deadline.    

Finn Forcucci

The leader of the long poles sounds like a Game of Thrones episode, but Cape senior No. 33 is the captain of that unsung crew of the Cape boys’ lacrosse team now heading into the quarterfinals Saturday, May 28, at DMA. “Finn has grown each year as a person and in his role on the team,” said coach Mark D’Ambrogi. “This season, he has been a great leader on the defensive end of the field and an outstanding example of how to conduct yourself. He plays hard every practice, communicates really well and works on improving his game. We have given him some tough matchups, and he has answered every challenge.” Forcucci, a senior, will continue his lacrosse career at McDaniel College.

Tia Jarvis

Tia can turn the world on with her smile. She is that person and a natural-born leader. Tia, a senior, is a track girl, although she flashed some serious talent in field hockey before deciding that was not part of her bailiwick. Coach Tim Bamforth convinced Tia to move away from the 400 and 800 this spring, and concentrate on the 300-meter hurdles. Employing her combination of speed and endurance, Tia won the Henlopen Conference Championship in a time of 48.9. At the Meet of Champions May 25, Tia ran a personal-best time of 46.80 to finish as the third-best hurdler in the state. “Tina had a great career at Cape and is one of the hardest-working athletes I have coached in my career,’’ said Bamforth. Tina is planning to attend Delaware State, where she will continue her track career.