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 Feb. 5, 2015)
Julie Cross was born to play lacrosse. And it was hardly a surprise when the Upper Dublin senior – the last in a line of four sisters – committed to play the sport at Division One powerhouse Syracuse University in February of her sophomore year. Basketball was the last thing on her mind. Until one summer day before her sophomore year when – while playing with her club lacrosse team – she received an unexpected e-mail from Morgan Funsten, who had just taken over the helm of the Upper Dublin girls’ basketball program. “I didn’t even know who he was,” Cross said. “He was like, ‘Hi, I’m the new basketball coach and wanted to know if you’d play this year.’ I thought about it for a second and I was like, ‘He probably only wants me to play because I’m tall.’”
The 6-2 Cross, who’s also blessed with speed and athleticism, was at the top of Funsten’s wish list when he took over the program. It didn’t matter to the new coach that she hadn’t played in quite some time. “Just knowing the importance of getting the best athletes in you school to play your sport – I called Dee (Julie’s mother) and basically said, ‘Do I have permission to ask Julie to play basketball?’” Funsten said. Although she was certain Julie would not be interested, Dee Cross – herself a former basketball player – happily gave her permission. Julie shocked everyone when – after talking to several lacrosse teammates who played basketball – she opted to give it a try. The rest is history. Cross went from a bench player who saw meaningless minutes at the end of games her sophomore year to star player who averaged a double-double for a Cardinal team that clinched its third consecutive SOL American Conference crown.
Cross grew up watching and playing sports and points to her three sisters as the most influential people in her life along with her parents. Julie – like her sisters before her – learned lacrosse under the tutelage of her mother, a former U.S. National team player who is also her coach. “People always think it’s weird that my mom is my coach, but having her as my coach and playing with Kelly my freshman year – that was the time where I was like, ‘I really want to do this,’” Julie said. “My dad was a lot of help to. Making me to go their games was helpful – to watch them play and be like, ‘That’s my inspiration.’” Cross will be a four-year starter on the varsity this spring. “She has great speed to the midfield, and that’s just from God-given legs,” Dee said. “She has those long legs, she’s got a long reach and just using her height and wingspan to her advantage – she’s got a really hard shot, so offensively, she’s definitely able to score. Playing basketball helped her lacrosse defense because it’s the exact same thing.”
A captain and one of the top scorers on her soccer team that captured a conference crown this past spring, Cross also is involved in student government. At Syracuse, she will major in elementary education and special education.
To read Cross’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/julie-cross-0050748
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Feb. 5, 2015)
Kyle Davis loves to run, a passion he inherited from his parents. The Cheltenham senior was a member of relays teams that were among the nation’s best last season. Tasting success at the highest level has made Davis and his teammates that much hungrier to consume the competition again. “There is added pressure,” he said. “There’s always pressure when you’re at the top. We had a great season, and we’re hoping to repeat as state champions again. We were No. 1 in the US in three relays. It was nice to be part of a team that made history.” Davis is part of the 4x4 meter relay and sprint medley relay teams. He also competes in the 400 and 800. “I’m not ranked yet, but I’m working on it,” he said, adding that his smallish frame has led to nagging injuries throughout his career. If it rhymes with tendinitis or bursitis, he has probably had to push through it, along with hamstring strains, but he has risen above those temporary setbacks.
The dedication shown by the senior captain for his sport is matched only by his love of learning, which also was inherited from his parents. He says they have been actively supportive of his track endeavors, which include summers with the Ambler Olympic Club, but it still gets only a silver medal when it comes to priorities. “They are serious about academics and staying on task,” he said. “My family is strict about my grades, but it feels good when you have good grades. Now I’m getting into most of the colleges I have applied to and I’m waiting to hear from some others.” The list includes the likes of Pitt, Fordham, Hampton, Penn State and Ithaca. He is not sure he will run track at the collegiate level, as it may involve walking on and making a commitment of time that he may not be able to provide while holding down a demanding major. He plans to pursue a major in biology and a graduate degree in environmental science with a goal of becoming a research ecologist.
With or without track, Davis has put himself in a position to write his own ticket in the future. A member of the school’s Black Scholar’s Club since he was a freshman, David now serves as the treasurer for an organization that requires a 3.0 grade point average to remain in good standing. No problem there as Davis has been on the school’s honor roll every semester and doesn’t plan to fall off pace now. He is also active in his community, volunteering as a member of the Key Club. He also tutors middle school students in math. “I like helping people,” he said. Davis, according to his coach, will leave behind a legacy of how to do it the right way. “It has been my pleasure to be associated with Kyle for the past three-and-a-half years,” said Dr. Robert Beale. “I am also in a position to be aware of Kyle’s record of personality development and community involvement. Kyle has been a responsible, enthusiastic and competent young man of high moral principles, who is always willing to help others.”
To view Davis’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/kyle-davis-0050746
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