Univest Featured Athletes (Week of April 19)

SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and 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.

 

Lindsay Walbrandt is a captain and leader of the Souderton lacrosse team. A dangerous offensive weapon, Walbrandt is equally adept at taking the ball to goal or finding an open teammate, and she is a relentless worker. “She is always the first person at practice, and she wants as many offseason practices as possible just to get the team to where it’s supposed to be at the beginning of the season,” coach Nicole Bauer said. “There aren’t many captains that lead both verbally and by example, but she definitely does both.” The senior standout has taken her love of lacrosse and has spent the past three years giving back to her community as a coach in the Souderton Area Girls’ Lacrosse Association. “She is just an integral part of our community program, which is awesome,” Bauer said. “She’s definitely a great role model for the younger kids. She’s just an all-around great kid.”

Nick Riccione has an unparalleled work ethic when it comes to his passion - baseball. The Hatboro-Horsham senior captain went through a rigorous off-season training program, and he has elevated his level of play for the Hatters.  “Nick has a tremendous work ethic that he passes on to the other players on the team,” coach Pete Moore said. “He is one of our captains for good reason – he pushes his teammates in a positive way. He has done a ton of work to get better. He’s the type of kid any parents would be proud of.” Riccione, who measures in at just 5-8, bats out of the cleanup spot and also plays shortstop. “Nick has a great first step and anticipates well,” Moore said. “And he now has the arm strength to make the plays in the hole.”