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. 25, 2016)
Pennsbury girls' soccer coach Kaitlyn Batiste remembers watching an eighth grade Abby Wick playing soccer in middle school. Even then, Battiste noted Wick's consistency and fearless play. That's impressive enough for a middle schooler. What made it more impressive was that Wick's middle school soccer team was co-ed. "Playing with and against boys, that wasn't anything that ever phased her," Battiste said. "As a freshman, she was immediately a member of the varsity program. We've seen a lot of growth in this program, and Abby has had a hand in a little bit of everything."
Wick's consistency, both in her play and her positive approach toward not just sports but to other aspects of school and life - have become defining characteristics of the senior two-sport standout. "She has that sense of confidence, but not in a cocky way," Battiste said. "There isn't anything she thinks she can't do. She really believes that. She has that can-do mentality on and off the field." A four-year varsity player and two-year 
captain, Wick's leadership both in practices and on the field, where she plays center midfield and often serves as the keystone between the attack and defense, has been a crucial part of a Falcons' team that has won two consecutive National Conference titles and reigned supreme last season as District One Champions.
The positivity was crucial once Wick put away the cleats and soccer ball and headed onto the hardwood. A senior captain on a very young, inexperienced team, Wick's leadership was essential in keeping the players focused and positive despite struggling through a 4-15 season. According to coach Keith Graber, Wick proved to be the glue that held the team together. "Abby kept everybody engaged and wanting to get better in practice," Gabor said. "When you go on a losing streak, it's easy to lose the kids. But Abby being the person and captain she is, she was able to keep everyone engaged. The girls naturally followed her. She was the coach on the floor. Everything went through her. She totally accepted that role, never wavered when things got bad. She was able to keep all the girls together." Basketball gave Wick - a triplet - the opportunity spend time with her sister Katie, who spends her fall season playing field hockey. Having the ability to pursue separate interests and develop different skills has been crucial for the sisters as well as for their brother Thomas since the three have spent an awful lot of time together.
Wick serves as president of Student Council and is a member of the Principal’s Advisory Council, a group of students nominated by teachers and coaches who help promote character and positive attitudes in school. She also was named the captain for the Black Team in Pennsbury’s upcoming Sports Night. Wick has signed a letter of intent to play soccer for SUNY Binghamton. She is leaning toward a business or economics major.
To read Wick’s complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/abby-wick-0059996
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Feb. 25, 2016)
As a sophomore at Central Bucks East, Tommy Strasburger practically had secret tunnels built through the school to avoid head football coach John Donnelly. Although pigskin was prevalent in his DNA - both his dad, Matt, and uncle, Scott, played big-time college football for Tom Osborne at Nebraska, Strasburger considered basketball his number one sport and decided - after one year of freshman football in high school - to focus his energies there. "I loved basketball at the time," recalled the Omaha native. "I thought, 'This is the sport for me.'" East's athletic environment is one that encourages multi-sport participation - especially from its elite athletes like Strasburger, who was a standout soccer player in his formative years. And Donnelly kept tabs and stayed hot on Strasburger's trail even after he became a key member of varsity basketball coach Erik Henreysen's squad as a freshman.
After watching East football team fall in a close game to CB West, Strasburger opted to come back to the squad as a junior. Despite his status as a well-established hoopster, nothing was gifted to Strasburger. Even though he expected to play on offense - he had been a wildcat quarterback on the freshman team - he was pegged as a defensive back. He soon earned the starting job as a safety and corner when required, and then became the primary kick returner soon thereafter when he took one to the house against Truman. "When he returned as a junior, he immediately made an impact on defense and the return game," Donnelly said. Strasburger went on to becaome a two-time first team all-league DB and first team all-area as a senior.
Strasburger also is the undisputed leader of this year's Patriot basketball team that advanced to the state tournament, leading the squad in points, steals, rebounds and assists. He recently broke the program record for three-pointers, but there is more to his impact than the raw numbers. "Having the opportunity to coach Tommy for the past four years has been one of the most enjoyable coaching experiences of my entire coaching career," said Henreysen. "There is never a dull moment with Tommy, and his personality seems to draw people toward him. He has been our captain for the past two years but has really been a leader since the day he stepped foot in the gym." Donnelly echoed similar sentiments. "Tommy is a big-time competitor," he said. "He is a gamer. He wants to be the guy when the game is on the line."
Strasburger will continue his football career at Lafayette where he plans to study psychology or psychology.
To read Strasburger’s compete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/tommy-strasburger-0059995
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