Athlete of the Week
Jack Wynkoop

The Cape Henry baseball team is in the midst of a transition year. The retirement of head coach John Ingram brought new leadership to an already successful program, and the change has been smooth. The Dolphins returned a talented group of veteran players, and after a slow start that talent has proven its worth. The play of this week’s Athlete of the Week, sophomore Jack Wynkoop, is a large reason for that success.

Wynkoop is in his third season with the Dolphins, and he brings a wealth of experience. Jack saw action as an 8th grader on the varsity squad, and that early action turned into a key role with Cape Henry last year. Despite an 0-2 start to the season in 2010, Wynkoop has helped lead the Dolphins on an 8-game winning streak before falling by a run to a talented Maury squad on Wednesday (4/14).

“Jack is very talented player,” head coach Ryan Morris said of the sophomore lefty. “But he brings an added value with his versatility. Jack’s future in baseball most likely will be spent primarily on the mound, but he has continued to develop as a hitter through his work ethic.”

This offensive development has helped spark the Dolphins in times when the bats weren’t always connecting. Through 11 games in 2010 Wynkoop is batting .429, and he has an on-base-percentage (OBP) of .478. He’s 9 for 21 in his plate appearances with three doubles and one triple, and he has driven in six RBIs and scored eight runs.

Defensively, Jack can play all three outfield positions, as well as play first base, and that allows the Dolphins the flexibility of moving other players as needed. He also has proven to be a clutch player.

“Over the course of last week’s competition, Jack’s performance on the mound and at the plate was a boost to our team at the right time,” Morris said. “Norfolk Collegiate and Nansemond-Suffolk were teams who had posted quality wins, and to make a statement in those games was extremely important for our club. Jack’s efforts were key in creating a momentum which catapulted us through that stretch.”

The Dolphins blasted their two TCIS opponents last week. In the first game against Norfolk Collegiate the Dolphins earned a 13-0 victory, and they followed that performance with an equally dominant effort against Nansemond-Suffolk, winning 16-4. Wynkoop was virtually untouchable in those two games. From the mound he had nine strikeouts and gave up just one hit and no runs. From the plate he batted .625 with two doubles, one triple and five RBIs.

“Jack does seem to have a touch of ‘gamer’ in him,” Morris finished. “I’ve noticed that he seems to rise to the occasion when it matters most, and I think that affects everyone around him.”

The Dolphins continued success this season will depend on managing the factors within their control: effort, focus and emotion. Wynkoop has been solid in all three areas throughout the course of the season, and Cape Henry is hoping he continues that success on and off the field as it continues on its TCIS and state quest.