Athletes of the Week Oct 11

Jaxon Benton

Few football players have had a better start to their playing careers than Jaxon. The sophomore is a key piece on Cape's unified flag football team on both offense and defense. In the Vikings' Sept. 25 season opener, Jaxon registered three sacks, including one in the end zone for a safety. Benton also caught the game-winning touchdown in the 15-14 victory. The sophomore kept the momentum going in the home opener against Mount Pleasant, recording a safety on the first defensive play. He then flashed his speed when he broke loose for a long touchdown run. Jaxon sealed the win for the Vikings in the closing seconds of the game when he made a spectacular grab on a jump ball, evaded defenders, and scored his second game-winning touchdown in a row. Cape coach Drew Messick said Jaxon is new to the game but an important part of the team. Benton said he knew his team needed him to come up big and he did not want to let them down.

Zane Coulbourne 

This Cape senior linebacker is piling up the defensive stats and garnering accolades on the Legends Stadium turf so far this season. He made nine tackles, two for a loss, blocked a punt and recovered a fumble in the Vikings’ 21-7 Homecoming win over Saint Mark’s Oct. 4, which has boosted him to a tie in the team lead in tackles with 27; three have been for major losses. "Zane hit things hard in the weight room this off season," said Cape head coach Mike Frederick. "He added roughly 30 pounds of muscle while gaining speed. And his hard work has paid off. He has become a sure tackler and a force inside the box. I'm looking forward to seeing what the second half holds for him." In his spare time, Zane likes all water activities, but mostly he loves being with his grandparents Bonnie and Bob Coulbourne and loves being a mentor to the younger kids wanting to play football. He hopes to continue his playing career in college after graduation.

Mairead Rishko 

There is a midfielder symmetry between Mairead Rishko and Atia Sabbagh. Both sophomores are the youngest of three sisters. Mairead’s two older sisters Ella and Lulu are now playing lacrosse for the University of Delaware. Ella and Lulu played on the Champions Stadium pitch Oct. 5, as Delaware hosted SUNY Binghamton in a fall ball friendly. Mairead is friendly, never frenzied, freakishly skilled field hockey and lacrosse player. “Just so smart,” her coaches like to say, and she will win most contested balls using bat downs, backhands and chop-chop over your stick moves. Mairead sometimes scores, while other times she is fighting to keep Cape possession at the Vikings’ end of the field. Most big games, decided by three goals or fewer, you will find the Mairead’s name in the scoring summary.    

Atia Sabbagh

Atia is a sophomore and youngest of three sisters to play hockey for Cape following Marcella, who played at Christopher Newport, and Nicole, who currently plays for the University of Delaware. Atia does the dirty work in the midfield and sometimes is unsung, but the bigger the game, the more likely “Ott” will light it up. At Champions Stadium versus Sussex Academy Oct. 8, after a scoreless first half, Atia scored twice in the third period off corners, propelling the Vikings to a 3-1 victory and a perfect record of 10-0. Atia travels to Spooky Nook in Lancaster, Pa., during the off season to play for the powerful WC Eagles travel hockey team. “She plays the game fast, and she’s smart and tough. Having her in the middle of the field is key to the team’s success,” said coach Kate Austin. Atia is an honors and Advanced Placement student who also does Academic Challenge.