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. 12, 2017)
Some captains lead by example. Some act as a spark plug, firing up team members before a big game or meet. As a tri-captain of the Upper Dublin girls’ swim team, Jenna Johns sees her role as a leader of an underclassmen-heavy squad a little differently. “I kind of see myself as the team mom,” Johns said. “Whenever anyone has a bad race or is sick, I’m the first one to go to them. Anytime anyone needs any advice, I want to be there to help. If I see tears, I’m the first one to go over.” Of course, Johns’ leadership shows in her actions in practice and meets as well. “Jenna came in as a freshman with a lot of talent, but she was also very mature,” coach Pat Redican said. “She’s really grown into a leader. Even as a sophomore and junior, you could see kids looking to her at practice – she has a great work ethic, she does all the things we ask her to do. Her leadership comes out in so many different ways. It’s not always about being vocal. It’s also about what she does. Jenna’s leadership has been massively important.”
The maturity that Johns showed even as a freshman has helped her grow into a consummate teammate, even in a sport that can be very individualized. With appearances at the state championship meet in each of her first three seasons, Johns has set her sights high for her final campaign, but as her coach will attest, Johns is far more focused on team successes than personal goals. “Her motivation has never been about making it to the next level – to districts, to states – and it’s not about record boards or awards,” Redican said. “She’s always focused on how she could help the team. And over the years, if there’s one thing the kids know and that I know, if it comes down to Jenna at the end of a relay, Jenna’s going to do it. She’ll come through for the team.”
Just as she’s working hard in the pool, Johns – a member of the National Honor Society - remains a dedicated student as well. She will head south in the fall to Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Johns will take to the pool for the Sharks’ swim team while pursuing yet another lifelong passion as she plans to study marine biology. “Nova Southeastern is getting a kid who’s focused, who knows the value of hard work, a kid will do whatever she needs to do for the team,” Redican said.
To read Johns’ complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/female/jenna-johns-0067368
Univest’s SuburbanOneSports.com Featured Male Athlete (Week of Jan. 12, 2017)
Austin Thomas was on Derek Wright’s radar long before he was named head basketball coach at Council Rock South last March. “When he was an opponent, he was always someone we focused on in scouting reports playing against South because he seemed to be somebody that was able to really get his team going when he was playing well and making shots,” said Wright, previously the coach at CR North. “He was always a very skilled player.” But it’s more than skill that sets the senior point guard apart. In an early season game against Hatboro-Horsham in the title game of the Hatters’ tournament, the Golden Hawks trailed by double digits late. Thomas, after going scoreless in the first half, suddenly got the hot hand, burying five three-pointers – four in the fourth quarter, and the Golden Hawks earned a win that might well have set the tone for the season. While the points were significant, it was Thomas’ approach when things weren’t going well that told Wright all he needed to know about his senior captain. “Austin kind of epitomized the idea we talk about – just keep playing despite the score and how we’re shooting and how many points you might have,” the Golden Hawks’ coach said. “Just keep playing, and he did that and turned the game around for us.”
It’s hardly a surprise that Thomas was a key piece in making Wright’s transition to a new team a seamless one this season. “I’m really grateful to him because it’s a tough situation to try to build relationships with kids in a really short period of time,” the Golden Hawks’ coach said. “When it comes down to it, he just wants to win and have a good experience, which he knows the coaching staff does too.” Thomas is part of a large senior class that is the heart and soul of this year’s squad. “They’re all great kids,” Wright said. “Not that they’re flawless or anything, but when it comes down to it, they’re really, really good kids, and that’s a credit to their families and it’s a credit to the coaching staff before ours, and Austin epitomizes that.” Thomas, the Golden Hawks’ floor general, says basketball has taught him important life lessons like time management and learning how to deal with adversity.
Thomas plans to play basketball at the collegiate level and is keeping his options wide open. An excellent student, Thomas is enrolled in honors and accelerated classes. He’s a member of the English National Honor Society, the Peer Mentor Club and the Autism Awareness Club. He also is active with Athletes helping Athletes.
To read Austin Thomas’ complete profile, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/featured-athletes/male/austin-thomas-0067350
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