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.

DOLPHINS WRESTLERS HAVE FOUR 1ST PLACE FINISHERS AT TITAN CLASSIC INVITATIONAL ON SATURDAY

Cape Henry traveled to the Titan Classic Invitational at Crosby High School on Saturday and took home a 6th place finish out of 11 teams. Will Mason was dominant in the 103 lbs. weight class going 3-0 with three pins, earning the sophomore a 1st place finish. Scott Cunningham was equally as impressive. Wrestling in the 119 lbs. weight class, Cunningham went 4-0 with two pins, earning the Dolphins another 1st place finisher. Jake Henning went undefeated in four matches in the 145 lbs. weight class, and Sam Law won each of his three matches, earning both a 1st place finish. Cape Henry had additional wins from Jackson Law, Taylor Calley, Sam Dreyfus, Thomas Armistead and Tanner Baine. The Dolphins compete next on Friday when they take part in the Beast of the East tournament in Delaware.

Team Results: Colonial Forge 204, Cosby 188.5, Grafton 151.5, R.E. Lee (Staunton) 149, Marion 130, Cape Henry 129, William Fleming 123.5, Atlee 118.5, DinWiddie 112, King George 69, Maury 25.

GIRLS BASKETBALL DOMINATES LIFE & BREATH FOUNDATION INVITATIONAL

GAME 1 - Cape Henry 61, Notre Dame 33
Cape Henry traveled to the Wakefield School this weekend and improved their record to 6-0 with two wins in the Life & Breath Foundation Tournament. The Dolphins defeated Notre Dame Academy by a score of 61-33 by setting the tone with full court pressure from the tip. Four players scored in double figures, with Zeniya Trowell picking up a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Alexis Smith led all scorers with 17 points, LaBria Wilson added 12, Amalia Riess had three, Brianna Perry had two, and court general Khajae Hester had 13 points and five assists.

GAME 2 - Cape Henry 41, St. Stephen/St. Agnes 18
Cape Henry picked up their 6th win with a 41-18 result over St. Stephens/St. Agnes. Again, the defense was the story as Cape Henry scored most of their points off of transition. Khajae Hester played her all around game by scoring 10 points, grabbing two steals, and handing out five assists. Zeniya Trowell was dominant in the paint with nine points, 10 rebounds, and one block. Alexis Smith once again scored in double figures with 10 points, LaBria Wilson scored eight and grabbed two steals, Amalia Riess hit one 3-pointer, and Brianna Perry scored a free throw.

BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING MAINTAIN FAST START AT COLLEGIATE

Boys Swimming
Collegiate School 116, Cape Henry 61
Cape Henry 122, Prince Edward 40
Cape Henry 114, Walsingham Academy 50

The Dolphins improved to 3-1 on the season with wins over Prince Edward and Walsingham Academy on Friday. Cape Henry opened the day with a school record in the 200 medley relay. The foursome of Robert Knuth, Andrew Vice, John Farley and Josh Cooper broke the school record by over two seconds with a time of 1:41.40. Josh Cooper had a great anchor leg of the relay with a split of 22.31. Robert Knuth continued his unbeaten season by winning the 50 freestyle (23.01) and the 100 back stroke (55.10). Knuth just narrowly missed his own school record in the 100 back by .04 seconds. Sal Serpe had a great 100 butterfly, as the senior recorded his first individual state qualifying time of 1:01.92. The Dolphins 200 freestyle relay team won the event with a season best time of 1:33.90. The foursome of Keegan McLaughlin, Max Serpe, Sal Serpe and Josh Cooper swam a great race and are inching closer to the school record.

Girls Swimming
Collegiate School 116, Cape Henry 54
Cape Henry 117, Prince Edward 40
Cape Henry 89, Walsingham Academy 78

Cape Henry improved to 3-1 on the season and are off to a great start with a 2-1 record this past weekend against Collegiate School, Prince Edward and Walsingham Academy. Kendall Tompkins, Addie Cooper, Brianna DiSilvestro and Morgan Sabol led the Dolphins to a great start in the 200 Medley Relay, winning the event in a time of 2:00.16. DiSilvestro continued her success by placing 2nd in the 100 fly and improving her lifetime best to 1:06.92. Addie Cooper also added two lifetime best swims in the 100 freestyle (58.94) and the 100 breast stroke (1:15.59). Morgan Sabol had a great lead-off leg in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 1:01.06, a lifetime best.