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 Dec. 21, 2011)
Liz Mower has accepted a lacrosse scholarship to Philadelphia University, so it’s easy to understand why basketball coach Lynn Carroll wasn’t certain the Souderton senior would be back on the hardwood this winter. Mower – despite coming off a torn ACL that sidelined her for her entire junior season – is back, and the four-year varsity player is a leader of this year’s basketball squad. “I know that she loves the game, but I would be surprised if part of her decision didn’t have to do with the commitment she has to her teammates and coaches,” Carroll said. “She’s a loyal person, and she wouldn’t want to let somebody down. Her future is in lacrosse. For her to be willing to play with us – to say I’m grateful is certainly an understatement. What she brings to the team off the court is invaluable, and she makes everybody better on the court.”
Helping others comes naturally to Mower, and for her senior project, she collected lacrosse equipment that was donated to LEAPS, a program established to help grow lacrosse in the inner city. “I realized how lucky I am to be able to play the sports I do and that my parents can provide me with the opportunity to play them,” Mower said. “Just realizing how many kids don’t have that – I really wanted to do something with that.”
Mower will be a four-year varsity player in lacrosse this spring as well. “Liz is an all-around outstanding athlete,” coach Nicole Bauer said. “She has developed into a dynamic player on the field and a vocal leader off the field. Her passion for the game and her team has grown tremendously over the years.”
An honor roll student, Mower is enrolled in honors and AP classes. She is a member of the Link Crew, a leadership program that helps underclassmen transition to high school. Mower plans to pursue a fashion merchandising major with the goal of one day becoming a buyer.
To read Mower’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/liz-mower.
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Dec. 21, 2011)
Bobby Bruno is a captain and leader of his basketball team. The Hatboro-Horsham senior is an advertisement for the value of hard work. In eighth grade, Bruno was cut from his middle school team. Rather than walking away from the game he loved, Bruno used the snub as motivation. “I think it’s one of the best things that ever happened to me because I found an AAU coach, worked with him, and he really got me back into shape,” Bruno said. “Coming into ninth grade, I was a whole different person.” That drive and desire to improve and succeed has been a crucial factor in the development of his game. “He’s one of the hardest workers we’ve ever had,” coach Dennis Steinly said. “He’s relentless in his work ethic and just doesn’t quit. He is willing to do whatever he needs to do, and it rubs off on the other players. They see that he’s worked hard to get where he is, so the other guys can look in the mirror, and they have to judge themselves based on his role model.”
Bruno and fellow Hatter Paul Haggerty recently organized and ran the Coach O 3-of-3 Tournament – in memory of former Hatters’ coach Walt ‘Ozzie’ Ostrowski – for their graduation projects. Between 14 and 16 teams participated.
Bruno plans to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level. Although he is uncertain where he will be going, Bruno plans on pursuing a degree in business, finance or marketing. Wherever he ends up and whatever his future on the basketball court may hold, Bruno’s coach knows he has the proper attitude and work ethic to be successful in any future venture. “Bobby is just a super kid,” Steinly said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. You hope things work out for kids like him because they’re earned it, and they deserve for good things to happen.
To view Bruno’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/bobby-bruno.
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