CAPE HENRY ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
ROBERT KNUTH

The Cape Henry boys swim team entered the 2009-10 season with one viable problem: with past success come lofty expectations. With a dominant 2008-09 campaign in their rearview mirror, the Dolphins will not be able to sneak up on any of the competition this winter, but there isn’t much concern about those expectations because the team itself fully intends to meet, if not exceed them. And thanks in part to the effort of this week’s Cape Henry Athlete of the Week, senior Robert Knuth, the Dolphins have sent out a warning shot to the rest of their opponents after just two meets.

“Robert is a real competitor,” first year head coach Josh Fulton said of Knuth. “He loves to win and hates to lose.” That attitude has permeated the rest of the team, and it has been evident in Knuth’s swimming thus far in 2009.

Knuth helped Cape Henry to a season-opening win against conference rival Bishop Sullivan Catholic by cruising to victories in the 50 freestyle (22.73) and the 100 backstroke (56.48), and he matched that feat again this past weekend against stiffened competition at Collegiate School in Richmond.

Cape Henry took on Collegiate School, Prince Edward and conference foe Walsingham Academy in its second meet of the season, and once again Knuth was dominant. Robert won both the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke events to remain undefeated in competition through the early portion of the schedule, and he is already two seconds faster than his posted times at this point of last season. In addition, the senior is only :04 off his own school record in the 100 backstroke, which he will likely reset as the season progresses. In addition to his individual success thus far, Knuth has been a key cog with the 200 medley relay team. He helped the Dolphins earn a new Cape Henry record time of 1:41.40 with a dominant time of 25.4 in the 50 backstroke portion of the relay.

“Robert is such a good swimmer not only because he has such a natural feel for the water, but he also has the frame to support that ability,” Fulton continued. “He is willing to take criticism and works hard to perfect every aspect of his races. He loves making changes that make him more efficient in the water.”

And he is proving to be efficient both in and out of the pool.

“Robert represents what a coach hopes for a team to become,” Fulton finished. “He is a true leader and embodies the team first attitude. The Cape Henry swim team is something that Robert takes very seriously and is willing to do just about anything to bring a TCIS title to our program. Cape Henry could not ask for a better ambassador to embody everything we want our swim program to represent.”

Knuth is clearly representing his team and school well to this point, but despite his accomplishments the best is yet to come. Robert looks to continue breaking records while competing in the pool here at Cape Henry, and his future in the sport has the potential to reach as high a level as he hopes.