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 Jan. 17, 2011)
Tyler Vitelli is a senior captain of the Central Bucks South girls’ basketball team. A tenacious defender, Vitelli is also capable of putting points on the scoreboard. “She has so much energy, and she brings an intensity and competitiveness that most players don’t have,” coach Beth Mattern said. “She has an internal force. She’s normally playing the opposing team’s best player or guard, someone we want to shut down and limit their ball handling. She’s a sparkplug in what we do defensively. I see a lot of dedication and intensity in all my players, but it starts with the first five on the court, and it starts with the people who are the captains and leaders. Tyler definitely sets that example.”
Vitelli – who grew up in a military family – has called California, Georgia, Maryland and most recently Hawaii home before moving to this area in ninth grade. As a result, she has friends literally around the world. “I think it impacted me very positively,” she said of the moves. “I became the person I am today.”
Vitelli is also a standout softball player and was the starting centerfielder during South’s run to league and conference titles and a state runner-up finish.
Next year, Vitelli hopes to attend either Widener or Temple where she will major in nursing with her sights set on one day being an oncology nurse.
To read Vitelli’s complete profile, click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/female-featured-athlete
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Jan. 17, 2011)
Jake Swearingen is described by his wrestling coach as ‘all grit and no quit.’ The Quakertown senior – captain of both his wrestling and football teams this season - was unable to crack the varsity wrestling lineup because of a long line of Panther stalwarts that preceded him, but he continued to stick with the sport. “It’s a testament to what Jake’s about,” coach Kurt Handel said. “You start something and you finish it. He’s committed to his teammates. As a coach, you want to see Jake do well because he’s paid his dues. Not many young kids are going to stick it out for three years. You have to pull for a guy like that.” In his first year of varsity wrestling, Swearingen is off to a 17-7 start.
On the football field, Swearingen was an all-SOL first team offensive lineman while earning second team honors on defense. He also was named his team MVP. He was one of 60 recipients of the Mini Maxwell Award, a prestigious award that recognizes athletic ability, academic prowess and community service. “He did everything right, academically and athletically,” coach George Banas said. “He doesn’t look for the limelight. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better.”
Swearingen is ranked second in his senior class of 400 and carries a 4.62 GPA. He plans to major in engineering and has already been accepted at Penn State but is considering Lafayette, Bucknell, Lehigh, Rochester Institute of Technology, Renseleer and Drexel.
To read Swearingen’s complete profile, click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/male-featured-athlete
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