Univest Featured Athletes (Week of May 31)

SuburbanOneSports.com recognizes a male and featured athlete each week of the school year. 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.

 

Elly Plappert was captain of Council Rock North’s National Conference championship field hockey and lacrosse teams this year. An all-league performer in both sports, the gifted senior brings more than just athletic ability to the field. “Elly is a natural leader,” said Pat Toner, who coached Plappert in both hockey and lacrosse. “She’s someone you could look up to as a player. To have a player like her on the team is every coach’s dream. She’s the kind of kid you’d want as a daughter.” Plappert was a threat to score every time she touched the ball in the circle for her hockey team. “She has the ability to take over a game if she wants to,” hockey coach Heather Whalin said. “All the kids look up to her. When they talked about being a good player, they talked about being Elly Plappert.” Carolyn Kacergis echoed those sentiments. “Elly Plappert is one of the best athletes I have ever seen,” the Indians’ lacrosse coach said. “She not only has tremendous skill, she leads the team on and off the field. Her work ethic and mentality are what made our team so successful.”

Jim Cramer is the first to admit that – at 5-foot 7 – he’s not the biggest guy on the lacrosse field. Nor is he the most skilled. But when it comes to leadership, few stand taller than the Upper Moreland senior. “He understands the things we’re trying to do, and he’s trying to lead that way,” coach Jared Mayes said. “He’s one of the smarter guys I’ve ever coached. He really does understand the things you’re trying to do. He’s always helping direct, and he gets everybody going in the same direction.” Cramer – a late arrival on the lacrosse scene - was introduced to the sport as a sophomore. His intelligence and heart have helped shape him into a perfect captain for an Upper Moreland squad that has struggled. “We have had some exceptional guys on our team the past few years, but all of them had been playing twice as long as Jim,” Mayes said. “For a guy to step in and throw himself into it and develop the leadership skills…we’re fortunate he found us.”