Cape Champions Hockey Camp welcomes 100 young players

Counselors Atia Sabbagh and Devon DeGregory are photo bombed by campers. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

July 26, 2024

Back-to-back Champions Field Hockey Camps – the first week for high school players, the second for middle school and elementary athletes – have closed down, transitioning into a lull in the action before school sports begin in late August.

The younger campers numbered 100, as they were grouped into coaching pods around the perimeter of Champions Stadium at Cape Henlopen High School. That follows 50 campers from the high school camp.

The Cape hockey culture runs deep, and this season, there will be three middle school teams with the addition of Fred Thomas joining established programs Beacon and Mariner.

A quick look at last year’s middle school records shows Beacon at 9-0 and Mariner with a 6-1-2 season. Sussex Academy Middle was 5-2-1 last fall season.

“Statewide, there are programs struggling to field JV teams, but in the Cape Region, for lots of reasons, there remain lots of girls who want to play field hockey,” said coach Debbie Windett.

Double-digit older players and coaches served as counselors for the camp

Third and fourth graders. Shown in back are (l-r) Norah Block, Lina Frederick, Madison Pratt, Finley Allen, Hannah Hartstein, Chloe Arjona, Lulu Miller, Leah Jaffe, Elena Booth and Grace Heers. In front are Emma McNamee, Molly LaFlamme, Harper Michener, Gia Scott, Piper Smith, Manning Bean, Piper Simon, Aubrey O’Neill, Emma Stewart and Madelyn Hunt.

Middle school players. Shown in back are (l-r) Allison Evans, Zoe May, Samantha Mathew’s, Malia Jackson, Slone Dondarski,Elyssa Zicarelli, Claire Hassel, Bianca Booth, Julia Moore, Kennedy Marks, Haley Costlow, Victoria Riccio, Carson Riddle, Mariah Capers, Ella Alberti, Mia Mastriana, Madori Torres and Brynn Evick. In middle are Abigail Clever, Nina Pollard, Cali Smith, Reese Cathcart, Vivian Coursuy, Maddison Williams, Mila Booth, Vivian Bolden, Ginny Keys, Anna Dugaun, Kyli MacBlain, Jayse Stewart, Lena Torres, Pepper Brittingham, Morgan Seilheimer, Bria Leyanna, Hartlee Perry, Lily Frey, Brielle Ramjattansingh, Danica Petrone, Lyla Fisher, Mackenzie Bean, Rosa Morales and Quinn Clark. In front are Alana McNulty, Elizabeth Mills, Madden Bean, Elise Ramjattansingh, Katie Mathew’s, Andi Megee, Emerson Allen, Evan Chub, Katie Resnick, Finley Con, Elyssa Zicarelli, Haille Simon, Merideth Dickerson, Harper Serman, Linda Boyd, Grace Hudson and Tori Vernier.

Kindergarten through second grade campers. Shown in back are (l-r) Avery Mahoney, Azalea Brittingham, Harper Oneil, Parker Torres, Emily Bolling, JoJo Megee, Stella Serman, Marley Skocypec, Abby May, Amelia Puddicombe, Amelia Coffield, Margo Zmuda, Addison Catts and Quincy Scott. In front are Reece Hysler, Olivia Hunt, Charlee Ferguson, Bella Nelson, Frankie Michener, Reagan McNulty, Hayden Bogle, Sophia Cahill, Amelia Atkins and Cameron Hurlock. Not pictured are Harper Collick and Ella Jones.