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 Oct. 22, 2015)
Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Claire McAllister and teammate Victoria Byrne epitomize what being a team player is all about, living out the team-first concept every single day of the season this fall. For three years, Byrne was the varsity starter in goal, and during that same time span, McAllister – without a word of complaint – was in goal for the jayvee. When it came time to choose a goalie this fall, coach Marianne Paparone was faced with a difficult decision and opted to play each goalie for one half, alternating starts. “They definitely are different, but there just wasn’t enough to separate them, and they both deserve to play,” Paparone said. It’s hard to determine which is more remarkable – the fact that Byrne, a first team all-league selection last year, was willing to share time in the cage without hesitation or the fact that McAllister, languishing at the jayvee level, never complained, never considered quitting.”
Talk to either one, and it’s clear this rather unorthodox system works. “Ever since freshman year, we both have the same motto,” McAllister said. “I’m going to try my hardest to get the starting spot over her, but if she gets it, I’ll be her biggest fan. I know she thinks the same way. We support each other, we compete against each other. At the same time, I was happy for her the past three years.” Byrne credits McAllister for getting her start in field hockey. “We have been best friends, we support each other the whole time,” Byrne said. “She’s the one who pushed me, so why should she be benched her senior year.” The duo helped lead the Colonials to their third straight conference championship. “That’s been the key to our success because I’ve had kids buy into that team concept,” Paparone said. “They look at those two and see them as a shining example of what team is about, and the rest of them – they learn from them. Claire is just a good kid, waited her turn without complaining and was so unselfish.”
McAllister is part of one of four sets of triplets at PW. Shannon, Brendan and Claire grew up playing sports together, and although they remain close, each forged their own path. The PW senior, a tri-captain of this year’s hockey squad, has made a verbal commitment to continue her hockey career at the University of Scranton where she will major in secondary education for math.
An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society. Last year, she spent three weeks in Spain as part of her school’s foreign exchange program. McAllister has served on the steering committee for her class as well as the student council. She has been on the principal’s advisory council and is a member of the Interact Club, a community service club. She plays violin in the school orchestra and volunteers at her church.
To read McAllister’s complete profile, please kick on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/claire-mcallister-0057054
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Oct. 22, 2015)
His nickname on the Neshaminy football team is “Lieutenant,” and Parker Minotti just might earn those stripes and even high ranks on the United States’ most important team of all: the military. The bright, well-rounded, personable and community-minded senior aspires to attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. It’s been his dream since he was in elementary school, and it could become a reality based on his great academic record and extensive extra-curricular resume. Minotti, an athletic 6-4, 225-pound offensive guard and defensive end, embodies the elements that comprise the model student-athlete. He ranks in the top 10 percent of his class and likewise gives 100 percent on the football field and in the community. “When he’s in a room, he brightens the whole room up,” said Neshaminy football coach Steve Wilmot. “He’s not the type of kid that’s going to sit in the background and do nothing. He’s going to give everything he has to everything he does. He has such a positive attitude about everything that he does. From day one, he was a very likeable kid. He’s not afraid to talk; he puts himself out there. He has a lot of positives.”
The idea of serving his country germinated in elementary school. West Point became his focus. His first visit there at a camp in the seventh grade sealed it. “I like physical challenges and I like to be outdoors,” Minotti said. “I always wanted to help people, and I love military history. I really saw myself being a cadet and as being on the same wavelength as them. Everyone up there is a hard charger; they really care about what they do. I wanted to be part of that.” Minotti has built an impressive list of credentials that can help him get in West Point against a highly competitive field. He is seeking a Congressional appointment through Pennsylvania’s 8th District represented by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.
Minotti’s high energy on the football field is equaled by his dedication to schoolwork – he has an unweighted GPA of 3.95; weighted, it’s 4.2 – and to his community involvement. He joined the Middletown Fire Co. 21-22, has been involved in the Challenger football program helping kids with special needs, likewise with Athletes Helping Athletes. On Oct. 17, Minotti, the president of Neshaminy’s Model United Nations, took part in a Model UN conference at Temple. There, in charge of a committee communicating with other countries in a futuristic war situation, he received an outstanding delegate award. He’s also a member of the Future Business Leaders of America.
Minotti, who participated for an intensive week in West Point’s Summer Leadership Experience, would like to play football there. Listed as an offensive “quick guard,” Minotti has helped solidify the Neshaminy offensive line the past two years. He has also played more at defensive end recently. “I love not coming off the field,” he said. The busier, the better for this impressive young man who, for his school and his country, represents all the right stuff.
To read Minotti’s compete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/parker-minotti-0057053
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