SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and female featured athlete each week. The awards, sponsored by Univest, are given to seniors of good character who are students in good standing that have made significant contributions to their teams. Selections are based on nominations received from coaches, athletic directors and administrators.
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Female Athlete (Week of March 26, 2015)
When Janiel Slowly failed to clear a hurdle as a track and field newbie at Cedarbrook Middle School, it left her with a battered knee and a resolve to keep on trying. In many ways, the evolution of the Cheltenham senior – on and off the track – has been one of clearing hurdles that once seemed insurmountable. “That fall is still legendary at Cedarbrook,” she said, recalling how she was “one of the clumsiest students.” Slowly and her family came to the United States from Jamaica when she was 10. Admittedly experiencing culture shock and homesickness, she tried a myriad of activities – lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, theater, choir, etc. – in an attempt to find a niche. Ironically and in spite of those inauspicious beginnings, she felt the most committed to the sport she shied away from as a child when her more athletic friends raced on the streets of her Jamaican neighborhood near Montego Bay. “I was always the last to finish,” she reflected. “I was scrawny and not coordinated.”
While Slowly was trying to avoid the arcane stereotype that she is Jamaican and therefore would be an instant track sensation in her new country, she was guided toward track by a seventh grade math teacher, Andrea Anderson, who was also of Jamaican heritage. But there were hurdles, real and symbolic, for Slowly to scale. And one spill served as a springboard to what has resulted in her becoming the captain of the Cheltenham girls’ track team, earning all-state accolades and the opportunity to run collegiately at Bucknell University. “I didn’t want to quit,” she said, “even though I wasn’t performing the way my teammates were.” Slowly competes and excels in a myriad of events – sprints, jumps (long and high) and some decorated relay units for the powerhouse Panthers – but considers hurdles, particularly indoor, her strength. “I can’t say enough good things about Janiel,” Cheltenham track coach Kelly Jenson said. “She is a natural leader and is not afraid to do the right thing. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever worked with. She is always the last one out of the weight room and is always ready to show younger girls on the team technique, drills, hurdling or jumping skills. Janiel’s teammates recognized her as captain of the team the past two years and accept her leadership. We have had tremendous success, finishing first or second in the (PIAA) State Championships, winning the District One meet the past two years and the league championship the past five years. While Janiel has been named all-state, she has not won an individual state championship like many of her fellow teammates, yet her presence is such that I don’t think we would have enjoyed as much success without her leadership.”
Off the track, Slowly is president of the Black Scholars Program, the Black Student Union and is part of the communications committee that regularly communicates with the school’s adult leaders. She hopes to one day become an education lawyer. “I came her from Jamaica…and I have been able to receive an amazing education,” Slowly said. “It’s time to think about the education students receive in developing countries.” A religious person who is involved in her church’s community service-minded youth group and sings in its praise team, she thanked God for having a plan for her, even though she began with doubts.
To read Slowly’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/janiel-slowly-0051757
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of March 26, 2015)
Matt Bakey boasts an impressive resumé. The Souderton senior is president of the National Honor Society and treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America (FHLA). In Boy Scout Troop 137, he wears the prestigious title of Eagle Scout. According to his coach, Bakey, who is in the top five percent of his class, could be in the running for valedictorian, but the title that says the most about Bakey is the one he was given after an unsuccessful – and only half serious – run for captain of his tennis team as a junior. “I knew I wasn’t going to get it, but I decided I’ll try for – whatever,” Bakey said. “Surprisingly, I was the runner-up in terms of voting. (Coach Wendy Bradshaw) said, ‘If you’re not going to be the captain, you can be the spirit guy.’ It was kind of a lame title, but it stuck.
This year, Bakey was elected captain, and while he’s a natural leader, he is still undeniably ‘the spirit guy.’ “The first thing that anybody who meets Matt notices is his charisma and his making you feel like you’re his friend and that he is supportive of you,” Bradshaw said. “Besides being smart and athletic, his best quality is his personality and how much he brings to the team as far as being a leader.” Bakey laid the groundwork for earning the title of ‘spirit guy’ during his sophomore year when he made t-shirts for his teammates that said ‘Money in the bank’, and one thing is clear – where Bakey is, fun will most surely follow. “Sometimes I can be serious, but when it comes to tennis and it comes to being a leader on the team, I just try to keep it a fun atmosphere,” he said. “Except when the matches come along – I get real excited. Otherwise I’m just trying to set the tone that we’re having fun.” The senior captain, who plays second doubles, is an invaluable part of the team. “He’s outgoing and everybody loves him,” Bradshaw said. “He’s the kind of kid if he says, ‘Come on, let’s do this guys,’ you’re going to do it because you want to be part of whatever he’s leading.
Bakey has earned a spot on the Distinguished Honor Roll – recognition awarded to students earning all A’s – every semester since sixth grade. He is a member of the National Business Honor Society and the LINK Crew and has been active in student government since his sophomore year. He has been a member of the Principal’s Student Advisory Counsel since his freshman year, but his proudest accomplishment was earning Eagle Scout.
Next fall he plans to enroll at either Villanova University of the University of Pittsburgh where he will major in engineering. Although collegiate sports will not be part of his future, he left his mark at the high school level. “Matt is that one in a million student-athlete who every coach would like to be on their team,” Bradshaw said. “He’s encouraging, kind, hard working, smart, always willing to pitch in, a leader and helpful. It has been such a privilege to have someone of Matt’s character, charisma and sportsmanship on my team.”
To view Bakey’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/matt-bakey-0051758
- Log in to post comments
