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 for week of May 4, 2021
Emily Kavulic has been having herself quite a spring on the softball diamond. In 13 games, the Harry S Truman senior has five home runs, six doubles and 12 RBIs while batting close to .400, but softball will not be part of her future. That’s not to say she doesn’t love softball – Kavulic does, but when she enrolls at Penn State University (Main) this fall, her focus will be on biochemistry with her sights set on a career in a lab, analyzing diseases and searching for a cure. “I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have since this is my last year playing softball,” Kavulic said. “I was just really excited that we were able to play and that we’re having a season.” For Kavulic, softball has always been a passion but never a sport that consumed all her spare time. She played jayvee as a freshman and was a swing player as a sophomore, playing mainly jayvee. “If they brought me up to varsity, I would just sit,” she said. Kavulic – who has not a trace of bitterness about her lack of varsity playing time- was understandably eager for her junior season when she would have a chance to earn some serious playing time, but that season was erased by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It really stunk because in the offseason we worked hard and looked forward to the season,” she said. “It was a new head coach, a new group of girls. It was something I was really looking forward to and it’s something I’ve enjoyed.”
Although she never competed on the highly competitive travel circuit, Kavulic – who grew up playing in-house for Levittown United - did plenty of work on her own, “I definitely took a lot of time in the offseason to really concentrate on my hitting and defense, anything I could possibly do,” she said. “My grandfather and I would go out and hit off the tees or he would toss to me, so it was really just the two of us.” She is reaping the dividends for her offseason work. “She has always had big power,” Truman coach Rick Palmer said. “Before I was her head coach here, she played for me with (Levittown United), so I know her. We did a lot of work as far as her hitting, getting her to stay back on balls and things like that. She’s put the work in to get to where she is now. Part of it was just getting a shot and being patient with her once she got going. I don’t think we were patient with her prior.” One of eight seniors that rotate as captains, Kavulic is more than just a power hitter. “She is the perfect teammate,” Palmer said. “You couldn’t ask for anything more. She’s always doing what she’s supposed to be doing and doesn’t say a whole lot. She’s the nicest girl, doesn’t get into it with anybody.” Ask Kavulic how she leads, and her answer doesn’t surprise her couch. “During warm-ups, I’m always trying to encourage people,” she said. “If someone misses the ball – ‘Just keep your head up.’ I think I’m most valuable in that aspect.”
After biding her time in high school, Kavulic has a home at third base, and in addition to her offensive exploits, she has become a solid contributor at the hot corner as well. “She’s playing really good defense,” Palmer said. “She started the year out a little rocky the first two games, but now she’s been my best fielder.” Her philosophy when she steps on the diamond is simple. “I play every game like it’s my last,” Kavulic said. Off the diamond, Kavulic excels in the classroom. She takes AP and honors classes and is a member of the National Honor Society as well as Truman’s Varsity Club. She is also part of Truman Buddies, which includes mentoring a freshman coming into high school. She also tutors on the side, including some of her friends. For now, Kavulic is enjoying every minute of her final softball season and takes with her something far more important than the wins and accolades. “Definitely the friends, definitely the memories and just playing the game,” she said.
To read Kavulic’s complete profile, please click on the following link: https://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/emily-kavulic-0094563
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete for week of May 4, 2021
Jaden Price-Whitehead has racked up countless league, state, and national accolades in his unparalleled track and field career. His goals are not simply to compete on the collegiate, Olympic, and international stages, but to excel and set world records as well. So when competing for Upper Dublin against high school level competition that might not equal the caliber he’s seen at state and national events, one might think that Price-Whitehead might not be challenged enough to compete at his highest level. That’s never been a problem because his biggest competition always remains the same. Himself. “There can be that barrier that some athletes hit,” Price-Whitehead said. “You might be at that level where no one can compete with you, but if you can’t still push yourself, you’re not going to grow as an athlete or a person.” That’s not to say that Price-Whitehead isn’t aware of the competition—odds are he’s studied them—but when you’re the guy everyone is looking to beat, you do what can to put yourself further and further out of reach of everyone else.
Price-Whitehead has mastered the art of putting himself out of the reach of others. Just a small fraction of his many accomplishments on the track include the 2020 US #1 long jump during entire indoor season (25 feet, 0 inches); the 2020 PTFCA Indoor State Long Jump Champion, and the #2 all-time Pennsylvania long jump (at the Track & Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia). His personal bests are national-caliber. Among his many prestigious accomplishments, Price-Whitehead was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2019–20, despite the outdoor track season being cancelled due to COVID.
And these accomplishments barely scratch the surface of Price-Whitehead’s athletic resume. Yet despite an unparalleled desire to improve himself, Price-Whitehead remains approachable and always willing to help a teammate. That makes him an ideal captain for the Upper Dublin track and field team. While there is no doubt that his actions in practice and during meets speak volumes about the type of athlete and leader he is, Price-Whitehead is also happy to help those chasing down the Top Dog to get a couple steps closer. “Some guys with his stature may come in very vocal and demonstrative,” said Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Johnston. “That’s not Jaden. He’s quiet and softspoken, but people know when he’s out there, he’s the guy. He lets his abilities, his results, his competitiveness speak for themselves. Even though the jumps are his forté, while we’re at practice, he’s eager and he wants to help out his teammates in regards to their starts in the blocks, technique in long and triple jump. In the 4x100 relay, he helps with steps and how to receive the baton. He is definitely a team player.”
The legacy he leaves behind will be far more than the banner that hangs in the school. “Jaden is a very cerebral, very mature young man,” Johnston said. “He has such a level head on shoulders, the way he’s able to keep things in perspective, you can’t believe you’re talking to an 18-year-old young man. He seems so much older and wiser. I’m hoping the younger kids will see the dedication and the work ethic and those individuals hopefully will be able to step up and fill his shoes, though they’re going to be awfully big shoes to fill.” Johnston also hopes the younger athletes will be able to see that you can be an elite athlete and still maintain high academic standards as well. Among his academic achievements, Price-Whitehead was named a member of the National Society of High School Scholars in 2020, was invited to join the Cardinal Key Chapter of the National Honor Society in 2019, is a multiple-time AAU Mid-Atlantic Junior All-Academic Award and All-Academic Award winner, and is an Honor Roll student whose course load over the years has been loaded with Advanced Placement and Honors-level courses. Price-Whitehead’s abilities will take him to University of South Carolina next year, where he will pursue a degree in the computer science field. He will also have the opportunity to learn from Gamecocks’ assistant coach Dee Quarles, who coaches jumpers and is known for producing national and international level athletes.
To read Price-Whitehouse’s complete profile, please click on the following link: https://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/jaden-price-whitehead-0094576
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