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 Oct. 24, 2018
It’s safe to say that Samantha Wynne’sfirst season on the athletic fields for Springfield Township High School was special. “Extraordinary” or “exceptional” might fit as well. It’s quite possible that “unique” is also an appropriate description. Because while some freshmen sit on the sidelines, hoping to get some experience and playing time in their first high school sports season, Wynne only ever saw the bench during halftime. That’s because Wynne played every minute of every game – all 19 of them – for the Spartans’ girls’ soccer team as a freshman. “That’s pretty remarkable, especially for a freshman playing against 17- and 18-year-olds,” said Springfield girls’ soccer coach Suzette Wolf. “She didn’t come off the field for one second the entire season. That doesn’t happen very often, but for a freshman, that’s just incredible.” Wynne quickly adapted to high school level play and used the season to learn and set the tone for the future.
It also didn’t hurt that Wynne was – and still is – one of the most versatile players to ever lace up the cleats for the Spartans. Throughout her four years on the soccer pitch, Wynne has played all over the field, in just about every position. And while many players can claim to line up at multiple spots on the field, few can match Wynne’s level of play no matter where she finds herself. “Samantha plays anywhere and everywhere that you need her,” Wolf said. “Sam’s attitude is, ‘Put me anywhere on the field where I can hopefully help us to win this game.’ She never complains about it. You watch a game and you’ll see her move from furthest up-front forward to farthest back defender.” With an attitude like that – mixed with her talent and ability to play wherever needed – it’s no surprise that Wynne was named a captain for her senior season. “Samantha is one of those captains who is a real motivator,” Wolf said. “She works really hard in every practice, always give 150 percent, and she is always positive when she’s pushing the girls to be the best they can be.”
Not surprisingly, Wynne brings the three things that have made her so successful in soccer – her abilities, her intensity and her versatility – with her into the spring season where she played a key role on a Springfield softball team that claimed its first PIAA District 1 title since 1994. “One of the great things about Sam is I can assign her things to help out in practice and she can do them without being told, and I always know she’s going to do it and do it right,” Ringgold said. “(On the diamond), her attitude was ‘Wherever you need me.’ That’s the type of person she is.”
Wynne works just as hard in the classroom as she does on the athletic field. She’s taking several AP classes and is a member of the school’s Interact Club and Relay for Life Team. She is hoping soccer will play a part in her next four years as she pursues a degree in engineering.
To read Wynne’s complete profile, please click on the following link http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/samantha-wynne-0081264
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete for week of Oct. 24, 2018
Almost nine months after the Philadelphia Eagles demonstrated how crucial it is to have a reliable backup quarterback, the Harry S Truman Tigers have their own exhibit on the importance of a dependable second stringer. The two situations aren’t entirely parallel as Truman’s version of Nick Foles, backup Robbie Tressler, was called into duty after an ejection and suspension of this story’s Carson Wentz, two-year incumbent starter Dylan Snelling. Snelling was not lost to a season-ending injury, he is firmly entrenched under center for the 8-1 Tigers. That being said, Tressler’s value, as well as the respect he demands from Truman players and coaches alike is undeniable. Tressler has been a key cog in the complete rejuvenation of Truman football, once a Suburban One bottom feeder that has enjoyed its two finest seasons in program history in 2017 and 2018. Last year, Truman enjoyed a rare district playoff berth, and this time around own a share of the program’s first SOL Continental title They enter the district tournament as the fifth seed in 6A and are there in part due to the contributions of Tressler, who stepped in and guided to his team to a 49-14 win over Tennent on Sept. 8 after Snelling and three other Truman players were ejected. Tressler started the next game for the shorthanded Tigers, a 20-6 loss to Council Rock South, but he had solidified the trust he had already earned from his teammates.
Outside of the Tennent and Council Rock South games, it’s not as if Tressler’s only job is to stand on the sideline and hold a clipboard. He plays on special teams on kick and punt coverages and is also a backup wide receiver, but perhaps his most important job is the team’s holder on extra point attempts. “He’s the only holder I trust, to the point where I don’t want to use him anywhere else because I know how valuable those points are,” coach Mike LaPalombara said. “If something happened to Robbie, we’d be chasing those points all night. I’m very confident sending him out for the extra point and knowing he’s in charge of the whole thing. He’s so composed, and that’s so big for a team like ours. He’s so committed to our team. He’s never complained. Robbie is such a high character kid to not be behind me complaining about not being the starter. I know he really wants to be, and if something happens to Dylan, we feel confident in Robbie to go out and run the offense and have it function as it does now.”
A top student at Truman, Tressler has his sights set on a two-year degree before diving headfirst into the family business, Worldwide Construction Equipment, which his father started from scratch and has run for the last 29 years. Tressler has always been interested in business and said he will ultimately take over the company when his father is finished working.
To read Tressler’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/robbie-tressler-0081262
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