Star Potential
These standout spring athletes from South Jersey are ready to add to their already long list of accomplishments.
Lily Marta, Moorestown softball
Entering her fourth year of varsity softball, Marta has 112 career hits and is closing in on Moorestown’s all-time record, held by her older sister Violet. She was a key piece of the Quakers’ sectional championship team as a sophomore and batted .580 with five doubles, two triples and a home run last season. She will play collegiately at Gettysburg.
SJM: Are you excited for your senior season to get underway?
LM: Yes, very excited.
SJM: You have a new coach, right?
LM: Yes. [Head coach Bill Mulvihill] and a couple of our other coaches retired. Coach Makenna [Dowell] is our new coach. … Coach Mulvihill was around forever and he definitely built the program, but I think the girls make the team.
SJM: What are your goals for this season?
LM: I think a lot is going to get accomplished. Every year it’s a different team, so it will be exciting to see what comes out of it.
SJM: What stands out when you look back on winning sectionals two years ago? Was it special to win with your sister?
LM: Yes—2024 was such a special year and being with my sister and the 12 seniors we had was amazing. That was one of my favorite high school memories. It was so fun seeing my sister accomplish what she set out to do her freshman year. I was so proud of her and the team in general.
SJM: Is she a big influence on you?
LM: Definitely. She’s very serious and has a great work ethic. Being an immature freshman and sophomore when I played with her, she definitely helped me grow into a more serious player. She likes celebrating my accomplishments, and I was just in Florida last week watching her play. We’re big supporters of each other.
SJM: What led to your decision to commit to Gettysburg?
LM: I loved the campus. The moment I stepped on campus for my tour and visit, it just felt like home immediately. I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to go to a school with academics like that, so I was very excited about that. And then the coach explained to me that it was a growing program and they’re not at their peak yet. So I was excited to be part of something where it’s the first time they’ve won something, just like in high school. They’ve really been making a name for themselves these last few years.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
LM: I’m going to study business, marketing, organizations and management. Both of my parents did similar majors and it seems interesting. It’s a broad major.
SJM: You play a lot of positions in softball. Do you have a favorite?
LM: I always say that the right side is where I love to play: second base, right field, first base. I feel the most comfortable there, and I love having the mix of being able to play corner infield, middle infield and the outfield. I love the diversity of playing multiple positions and it’s always a fun surprise of where I’m going to be. First base was new and interesting last year, but it was still fun.
SJM: Do you expect to be the leadoff hitter again this season?
LM: I hope so. I definitely like being in the front of the lineup. I think it helps set the tone for the game—you can see how the pitcher is, report what you saw to your team, and get the energy up to start the game.
SJM: Has it always been a strength of yours to get on base?
LM: I started slapping when I was 9 or 10, and I just fell in love with being a lefty and having multiple tools to use. Hitting has always been my thing. … My parents always told me to get in the cage, and I think that helped.
SJM: You are closing in on your sister’s hit record. What does that mean to you?
LM: Yeah, I’m just a few away. I’m glad that it’s her record I’m beating. My parents stressed that record when I was in middle school. They said, ‘Have that number in your head.’ I always wanted to get to 100 hits and the record was in the back of my head. I think my sister will be excited for me.
SJM: Did you ever pitch like your sister?
LM: I was a pitcher, but it was definitely her thing more than my thing. I just didn’t fall in love with pitching, especially since she was so good. I was like, ‘I’m never going to be as good as her.’ So I just wanted to be my own player.
SJM: Have you ever hit against her?
LM: We used to go to the cages a lot together, and she would pitch and I would hit. But she hit me a couple of times and I was like, ‘I’m not doing this with you anymore.’
SJM: Do you play any other sports?
LM: I played field hockey. I started my freshman year and finished up this past season.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
LM: I love hanging out with my friends and going to the beach. The weather just got good so I can finally go do stuff outside. Traveling is always fun. I like being on the move and having plans to look forward to.
SJM: Have you traveled a lot through softball?
LM: Traveling for softball is always fun. We get to go to new places, see cool things and play against crazy teams from California or Texas, where their level is so intense. I wouldn’t get to see those places if it wasn’t for softball. I think Colorado is my favorite to go every summer. The competition is insane, and the air is so thin that teams hit like 10 home runs a game. The vibes are amazing when we go to Colorado.
SJM: Is there a country you would like to visit?
LM: We just went to Italy this past summer. We went to Rome and Florence, and I definitely liked Florence more. Rome was very touristy. I don’t know where I want to go next—maybe somewhere tropical.
SJM: How was the food in Italy?
LM: It was so good. The pizza was amazing. It was such a fun trip and it was a nice break from softball for a week.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in Moorestown?
LM: The education system is very good and it’s such a nice group [of kids]. There’s so much to do there. I love my friends from Moorestown.
SJM: Do you have a walk-up song?
LM: My freshman and sophomore year it was “All of the Lights,” and last year it was “Poker Face.” We’ll see what I do this year. I’ve been thinking of some, and I need to form a list and narrow it down. Usually I want something to get me going and get focused, and also to get the dugout cheering.
Tyler Rotkowitz, Shawnee boys lacrosse
A senior attackman, Rotkowitz had 61 goals and 38 assists as a junior to help the Renegades post a 17-4 record and claim their third sectional title in four seasons. A Rutgers commit, he has 142 goals and 74 assists in his career.
SJM: Last year was a special season. What stands out when you look back on it?
TR: Just the group of seniors we had. They were a good group of guys and we had a really close team. We ultimately fell short at the end of the season [with a loss in the state final], but it’s really fun to look back, see where those guys are now and realize the kind of team we had.
SJM: How would you describe the comeback win over Moorestown in the sectional final?
TR: That was by far my favorite game I’ve ever played in, just because of the atmosphere, how many people were there and how much it meant to both teams. Unfortunately, we lost our goalie so we were playing with our backup goalie. Basically, we said let’s go out there and play for each other, and we ended up coming away with the win.
SJM: Is it nerve-wracking playing in close games like that, or is it something you thrive on?
TR: It’s definitely nerve-wracking to think about it, but in the moment all of the nerves go away and you live for that.
SJM: What goals do you have for this season, for yourself and the team?
TR: For the team, it’s the state final, for sure. We lost last year by three to a really good Summit team, so I think this year the goal would be to win the state final. Personally, I just want to get ready for college and become that college-level player.
SJM: Have you grown up playing with most of the kids on your high school team?
RT: Yes. I started playing with most of them in first grade and we’ve gone all through high school together. We’ve grown pretty close and the locker room is amazing. Seeing the juniors grow has been awesome too.
SJM: How did you get into lacrosse?
TR: My dad and my two uncles played when they were growing up. My dad put a stick in my hand pretty early and I grew to love the sport. I love being creative and I love being part of a team. It’s way different than being in a sport where it’s just you out there. You have five guys out there on the same side of the field as you and you have four more on the other side. That’s awesome.
SJM: What made you commit to Rutgers?
TR: Going up to the campus when I first went was awesome. I immediately felt like I belonged there and it was a place I wanted to go. I was blown away by everything about the school, from the facilities to the campus. The coaches are also a phenomenal group of guys that made me feel special and made me want to go there. I also love representing the state of New Jersey.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
TR: I want to go into human resources. My mom does human resources, and during COVID I heard her on Google Meets and Zoom calls with her company. It influenced me, and I kind of grew to love it and now I want to pursue it.
SJM: Do you play any other sports?
TR: I don’t, just lacrosse. I played basketball and flag football growing up through middle school, but once I got to high school I focused on lacrosse. I had a goal of going to play in college and I stuck to that.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
TR: I love being outside. I go camping every summer with my family and I love it. I love golf, and fishing is also really fun—it’s great around our town because we have a lot of lakes. I love fishing with my siblings.
SJM: Where do you go camping?
TR: We’ve been all up and down the East Coast. We went up to Maine recently and we’ve been to Vermont.
SJM: What do you like about going to school at Shawnee?
TR: The community is awesome. We’re pretty close in the school and everybody is pretty much friends with each other. We’ve all grown up together, and even the Medford Lakes kids, who go to a different middle school, as soon as they come to Shawnee they fit in perfectly. The teachers are really understanding too and they care about your education. The girls lacrosse team comes out to our games and we support them. For football games we pack the stands, and it doesn’t matter what event it is, everyone shows up for each other.
SJM: Tell me about your nickname.
TR: Everybody calls me Rock. [My last name] is pronounced “Rot-ko-witz,” but the T goes silent when everyone says it, so they just call me Rock. I haven’t been called Tyler in a long time. Even the kids in school who don’t play lacrosse call me Rock. It definitely could be worse.
SJM: Do you like growing up in South Jersey?
TR: I love it. There’s nothing better. … The Shore is fun, but I definitely like being in the woods better.
Emily Maurer, Lenape girls golf
Maurer is coming off a remarkable sophomore season in which she captured the Group 4 sectional championship, finished second at the Burlington County Open and placed third in the Olympic Conference Tournament. It will be exciting to see what she can do as a junior.
SJM: What stands out as your favorite moment from your sophomore season?
EM: Probably the day that I won sectionals. I had such good momentum going into it—that was the fifth day in a row that I played—so I was feeling confident. I birdied the last two holes so I felt great just finishing on such a good note and doing so well that day.
SJM: You were in contention at a lot of big tournaments all season. Did that show that you belonged with the rest of the top players?
EM: It definitely did. It was good to see that I could play well at those things, especially leading up to states and the tournaments I would be playing in the summer.
SJM: Which course was the sectional tournament held at?
EM: McCullough’s—I think it’s near Egg Harbor. I played there my freshman year, and I remember really liking the course, so when we came back last May I was happy to be back there. It’s not too hilly but it definitely has some big hills, and I’m thinking of a few holes that people really talk about as hilly. I enjoy the layout.
SJM: Do you have any particular goals for this season?
EM: I definitely want my team to go to states. I went to states freshman year with my team, and last year I went on my own. I think it would be great to have my team there with me, so if I can help everyone work toward getting to states, it would be really awesome. We have some good girls. A lot of the girls in my grade are showing really strong scores and doing well, and even some underclassmen are showing promise and potential. I’m excited to see how it goes this season.
SJM: How old were you when you started playing golf?
EM: I was 5. My dad plays and he put me in group lessons at a place nearby. I was going there for a while, and then I started playing competitively around 7 or 8. I’ve been playing ever since.
SJM: Do you play any other sports?
EM: I used to play softball, but I had to stop playing before my freshman year because it’s in the same season [as golf].
SJM: Do you try to play golf even during the winter?
EM: I do. I got out a few times—even in January I tried to play once or twice. Sometimes me and my dad will travel down South to play. I definitely try to do the most I can during the winter to stay warm and get ready for the spring.
SJM: Do you have a favorite course in the area?
EM: Definitely Laurel Creek. It’s my home course and I’ve been playing there since I started playing. I love the layout there and it gives me so many challenges. It teaches me so many things and I’ve learned so much from playing there. Every time, I learn something new.
SJM: Which course, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list?
EM: Definitely Pine Valley. It’s so close and I just feel like it would be amazing to play there. I’ve heard so many great things about how hard it is and how fun it is to play. I would love to go there someday.
SJM: What do you like about going to school at Lenape?
EM: All of my close friends are there and I get to see them every day. The teachers are amazing, including my coach [Andre Lopez], who I love. He’s the best: He’s so motivating and he’s my biggest cheerleader. It’s really great for me academically and I look forward to going to school every day.
SJM: Have you started thinking about college yet?
EM: I am in the recruiting process now and I’m hoping to play in college. I’m hoping for somewhere that has a mix of great academics and athletics, and somewhere that I can thrive socially, academically and athletically. I’m looking for a good balance.
SJM: Do you know what you would like to study?
EM: I want to study business. They say that a lot of business is done on the golf course, so I can take golf with me.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
EM: I really like reading, going to the gym and going to the beach during the summer. I love hanging out with my friends and all of the people that I love.
SJM: What do you like about South Jersey?
EM: I like that it’s close to a lot of things: the beach, Philadelphia, New York, the Poconos. It’s right in the middle of everything and there are so many places you can go. The weather is perfect during the summer, and it does get a little harsh in the winter, but I still love it.
SJM: Do you have a favorite golf movie?
EM: Happy Gilmore. I have watched that so many times and it never gets old. It always makes me laugh. [The sequel] was very funny, but nothing can compete with the first one.
SJM: I notice that one of the club covers in your bag is a frog. Is there a story behind that?
EM: I started a collection of stuffed frogs when I was younger after someone gave me one that I loved. So when my parents saw the frog driver cover, they knew they had to get it for me. That frog, “Froggy Fred,” has been on the course with me since I was about 7 years old, so it is very special to me.
Landon Schuster, Cherry Hill East boys tennis
A starter at singles since his freshman year, Schuster has played No. 1 each of the past two seasons and is looking to hold the spot for his senior campaign. He has helped the Cougars reach two sectional finals and win one during his standout career.
SJM: Is it strange to think about this being your senior season?
LS: It’s gone by really quickly. It feels like just a day ago that I was starting [tennis] at 5 years old.
SJM: What are your goals for this season for yourself and the team?
LS: Personally, I would like to make a big run in some of the individual tournaments. There’s the Camden County Tournament, which I won as a sophomore and couldn’t play in last year. I would like to bring back that trophy if possible. There’s the Olympic Conference Tournament—I hope to make a deep run in that, as well as the South Jersey Interscholastic Tournament. I’ve gotten to the quarterfinals of that, so either matching that or getting farther would be a big accomplishment. Overall, this could be my last year of tennis ever, so I want to enjoy it, have a profound sense of gratitude for tennis and seep in every single moment of it. Team wise, we only have two returning players this year so it’s mostly a retooling year with a bunch of inexperienced players, so I’m just trying to get the team back in the rhythm of being competitive … and instill better technique and performance in the guys beneath me, so that once I leave there’s still a legacy that can be molded from the rest of the team.
SJM: How did you first get into tennis?
LS: I don’t think there was a specific reason why I started tennis. I think my parents and grandmother just thought it would be a good sport to pick up. As I was growing up I played both tennis and baseball, which honestly was detrimental to both, because the swing is slightly different. With tennis, you’re going from low to high, whereas with baseball it’s more of a level swing throughout. So I think that almost messed me up in both sports, but I was always better in tennis than baseball, so by [around sixth grade] I stuck to tennis fully. … I have an older brother who played so I followed in his footsteps, and I also have a younger sister who plays.
SJM: Did your brother play at East?
LS: Yes, and he’s playing in college now at The College of New Jersey.
SJM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?
LS: I’m going to Cornell University to study government for pre-law, so I won’t be playing tennis there. Maybe I’ll cover tennis performances or watch their matches.
SJM: I understand you are interested in journalism, but it sounds like you won’t be pursuing it in college?
LS: I won’t be majoring in it, but it has been a big part of my high school journey. I’m editor-in-chief for Eastside, which is like the best high school newspaper in New Jersey and has been for many years. I definitely want to continue that in college by working for the newspaper, but not necessarily majoring in it.
SJM: Do you write about sports for the school paper?
LS: I’m a very big sports guy, but I’ve always felt that because I’m so interested in sports that it would actually dilute my writing, so I do very minimal sportswriting. I mostly write very controversial, opinionated stories about our school. I kind of avoid the sports stories, but I can see myself doing more sports at Cornell, and tennis specifically.
SJM: Cornell obviously has a stellar academic reputation. What made it the right fit for you?
LS: Tennis was never the consideration for college, so that helped narrow it down a bit. I was deciding among five schools that I got early admission to. I toured all five in the summer and felt most connected to Cornell. Obviously, the academics appealed to me and the environment. All of the other schools I considered would require a flight, so I guess the somewhat close proximity was a bit more enticing than the other options, even though it’s [about five] hours away. There wasn’t a profound reason why I chose it, but it felt like it was calling me once I stepped on campus.
SJM: Why pre-law? Do you see yourself becoming a trial lawyer?
LS: I don’t know which specific type of law I want to go into, but ever since I was born I’ve always been a big arguer. I like to take unique stances on things and [harp on] that point until I see my opposing debater suffering to come up with an argument that can refute mine. I’ve always liked thinking critically about different topics and forming my own opinions, so it felt like law was a good choice for that. I’ve also always loved reading and writing, so it felt like the perfect field for that.
SJM: Do you have any favorite professional tennis players?
LS: My favorite-favorite is kind of niche: Chris Eubanks, who had a big run at Wimbledon a few years ago. I guess the reason for that is that one of my former coaches also coached Chris Eubanks, so I got to meet him a couple of times. From that connection, I automatically rooted for him. The player I’ve rooted for the most since I was young would be Rafael Nadal, who’s retired now. We’re both lefties and I’m also a heavy topspin-hitting player, buggy-whipping a lot of forehands, so for a top player in the world to play like that, I really molded my game after his.
SJM: Have you ever played on clay?
LS: I’ve played a couple of tournaments on clay and it’s definitely a lot trickier than hardcourt.
SJM: If you could go to any Grand Slam as a fan, which would you pick?
LS: I’ve gone to the U.S. Open for many years over the summer, and that’s always a really palpable environment. But if I could choose from any of the four, it would definitely be Wimbledon. The prestige and class of that tournament is unmatched. [I like] the all-white apparel requirement for the players, and the overall environment feels very classy and superior to the others.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
LS: I like watching all types of sports, tennis or not, and playing those sports. I like dominating in my fantasy football leagues. I like spending time with friends and family and I like reading. On the more quirky side, I enjoy eating lots of Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels and tossing rubber ducks up and down. It’s really weird, but I constantly find myself doing it. When I used to go to the doctor’s office for a normal checkup, at the end they would always give me a rubber duck, so I have a large pile of them. Whenever I want to think about something, I’ll walk around, pace and toss the duck up.
SJM: Are you taking the rubber ducks to Cornell?
LS: [Laughs] I don’t know if my roommate will be a fan of that, but we’ll see.
SJM: Do you like growing up in South Jersey?
LS: Definitely. It’s been a great environment, especially for tennis. There are so many great competitors around here and it feels great to represent South Jersey tennis as part of Cherry Hill East. We won four sectional championships in a row at one point and I was part of one of those, so it felt great to be part of that run.
Brett Jackson, Cherokee baseball
Jackson, a senior infielder, is coming off a monster junior season in which he batted .452 with nine doubles, eight home runs and 38 RBIs as the Chiefs went 28-3 and won the Group 4 state championship. He is looking for more of the same this spring before moving on to La Salle University.
SJM: What stands out when you look back on the special 2025 season?
BJ: Really just the team as a whole. We were all really close with each other and everything clicked. When I was a freshman, one of our main guys, Henry Radbill said to me that when I was a junior we were going to win it all. It was awesome—everyone was close and not one person sat down [during games]. The bench was always engaged and we were all [about the] team.
SJM: What was the feeling like after winning the state championship?
BJ: It was a rush. Getting there on the bus, everybody was locked in, and during warmups nobody was messing around. Every part of the game was electric. It was such a good feeling.
SJM: I know you played a lot as a sophomore too, but last year was really a breakout. Did you expect to have that kind of impact?
BJ: Going into my junior year, I wanted to prove that I could, not even to everybody else but to myself. Sophomore year I did begin as a starter but I was getting in my own head. I fell down below .200 and I started doing calculations on what my average would be if I went 2-for-3 in the next game. That’s something I shouldn’t have been doing, just caring about my average. I sprained my ankle too and was out half the season, so it was just a terrible season. In the offseason going into my junior year, I was in the gym way more, I was hitting more, doing everything I could.
SJM: You showed a lot of power last year. Was that a product of your hard work in the gym?
BJ: Definitely. I gained a lot of power from the gym. In every aspect I was going up in weight and I just felt way better. The gym plays a huge role in all of that.
SJM: I know your team lost some key pitchers to graduation. What is the outlook for this season?
BJ: Henry [Radbill], [Brett] Gable and [Josh] Litsky are big losses from our pitching staff, but I think we [replenished]. We have Josh Litsky’s little brother Jake, who is up to 88. We still have a lot of pitchers and I would even say pitching is still our strong point.
SJM: Who do you consider your big rival?
BJ: In our conference, Eastern is definitely our big competition. They’ve always been good and they’ve always given us a hard time, especially last year. I assume it’s going to be the same this year because they have a lot of good players. Shawnee isn’t in our group so we wouldn’t play them in the playoffs, but they’re still legit and we play them twice. They have really good pitching. But if we just go into games with the same mindset and energy as last year, I think this season should look about the same.
SJM: Do you have any individual goals?
BJ: I have individual goals, but the thing I don’t want to do is look at my average after every game. Sophomore year, I would finish a game, look at my average and calculate what I had to do to get back over this number or that number. I’m going in with the same mindset as last year and trying not to get in my head. The only goal I have for myself is confidence, because confidence is going to translate over to a season like I had last year, maybe even better.
SJM: Has baseball always been your main sport?
BJ: Yes, it always has been. In middle school I played a little bit of basketball and when I was kid I played soccer, but baseball has always been my main sport since I was like 4, to be honest. My older brother [Andrew] was a big baseball guy up until the middle of his high school [career]. He’s six years older than me and he would bring me out when I was 5 years old to the front yard. At that time he was 11, so he’d be throwing the ball as hard as he could, trying to make me catch up. He’s a main part of my baseball [journey], as well as my dad and my mom.
SJM: What made you want to commit to La Salle?
BJ: Going into the summer I had a good amount of interest, especially after my high school season. There were some schools I wanted to go to, but they ended up falling off and I never got an offer. Talking to La Salle, especially the coaching staff, they’re really great guys. The head coach, Dave Miller, has a lot of connections and he was a first-round draft pick when he was playing. I liked the environment as a whole—it’s a Catholic school and I’m Catholic, so I can keep up with religion and going to church. When I made the decision, I think I was about to receive two more offers and I had one on the table, but the coaches at La Salle really clicked with me. I went on a visit … and hit with some of the players, and being there it just felt right.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
BJ: Right now, I either want to do criminal justice or communications, but I’m leaning toward criminal justice.
SJM: I’m sure you want to stay with baseball as far as it takes you.
BJ: Definitely. I would do anything to take baseball as far as it can go.
SJM: Are you a big fan of the game?
BJ: Yes. I don’t watch as much as I should, but there’s a game I play, MLB The Show, and that’s honestly where I get most of my knowledge about the players. I still like watching the games, but when I was younger I would watch to see how the players move. My position being middle infield, my dad would always tell me to watch how they move.
SJM: Are there any certain guys you like?
BJ: I’m a Phillies fan, but my favorite player since I was young has always been Andrew McCutchen. I like Trea Turner a lot at shortstop, and most of the Phillies, like Bryce Harper.
SJM: Have you ever played in an MLB ballpark?
BJ: Last season I ended up making the Carpenter Cup for Burlington County and we made it to the finals. We had two games at the [Phillies’] practice facility, and then the semifinals and the final at Citizens Bank. That was an insane experience, being on that field. I had one at-bat where I came about 4 inches from a home run. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little mad about that, but it was still an awesome experience playing on that field.
SJM: Maybe you’ll get another chance this year.
BJ: I hope so. That’s definitely a big goal of mine to make it back. It was really fun playing with guys who I had played against during the high school season and creating bonds.
SJM: What’s it like seeing guys from South Jersey make it to the big leagues?
BJ: It shows me that it’s possible. One of the things I’ve been thinking about a lot this year is that Mike Trout is tied for first as the home run leader in New Jersey [during a single season], and he grew up to be a star in the MLB. Seeing all these other guys, like [Logan] Dawson from Eastern getting drafted last year, is really cool. In a way it gives me hope that I can do it, because a lot of guys around me are doing it.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
BJ: Golf is my No. 1 hobby. It’s not good for my wallet, but being out there is really fun. I golf righty and hit lefty in baseball, so it doesn’t mess up my swing at all, which is really good since I mainly golf during baseball season. Of course, the gym is a hobby too, just staying in shape.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in South Jersey?
BJ: I wouldn’t say the weather, especially now. But there’s always something to do and there’s good food, definitely. Pancheros being in town is big—that’s one of my favorite spots to go. There are a lot of cool interest points to go have fun at, and Jersey baseball is great. There are a lot of good guys and I feel like it’s way different here than anywhere else.
SJM: Do you have a walk-up song?
BJ: I haven’t thought of one yet for this year. I need to figure it out soon. I want something that’s not too laid-back and everyone is getting relaxed when I walk up, but at the same time not loud and too hype. Just something that catches your attention.
Nia’Leila Cuascut, Washington Township girls track and field
Only a sophomore, Cuascut has already made a name for herself in the local track community. Last spring, she placed fourth at Group 4 states in the 100 meters with a time of 12.25 seconds, earning a trip to the Meet of Champions. She is coming off a strong indoor track season and has high hopes for outdoor.
SJM: Do you have any particular goals for your sophomore season?
NC: I definitely want to go sub-12 for the 100 and hopefully break 59 for the 400.
SJM: Do you just look at times when you’re setting goals instead of striving for a certain place at sectionals or states?
NC: I like to go bit by bit, because I feel like there’s more pressure if I’m trying to qualify for certain things. I like to just run and if I qualify, I qualify.
SJM: Were you happy with your performance as a freshman?
NC: Yes. I was definitely not expecting something like that. I just came out and it started flowing, and it’s been great ever since.
SJM: How did you get into the sport?
NC: In eighth grade my sister just randomly put me into track. I was never really into sports before, but I got into it, carried it into high school and happened to be pretty good.
SJM: So you never even knew that you were fast?
NC: No. It’s a lot different to transition from youth to high school, and I didn’t know I would be running against super-fast girls. It definitely helped me and it continues to help me.
SJM: You’ve accomplished a lot in short time in the sport. Are you excited to see what else is to come?
NC: I’m definitely excited. I’ve done this without trainers or anything, just practice. Even though it’s taken a lot of hard work, it shows me that I can work even harder and get better results.
SJM: What’s it like racing against girls like Sianni Wynn from Pennsauken and Natalie Dumas from Eastern, two of the top runners in the country?
NC: It’s crazy because I’ve been in their heats before, especially Sianni in the 100 meters, and I want to be like them one day and be considered one of the top athletes in New Jersey. It helps me go harder. They fought to be where they are, so it pushes me to work harder to get there. I try to stay with Natalie in the 400 during relays, but she just goes. It doesn't come effortlessly, you have to work for it, and that’s what those girls do. I’m glad this is their last year though. [Laughs]
SJM: Do you get to talk to the girls you compete against, and is it friendly?
NC: It definitely is. It’s tougher in the hurdles, because that’s harder than just running the open 100. I see it more as competition in the hurdles, and in the 100 I have a lot more friends. I like the hurdles, but there are some fast hurdlers and I’m not there yet.
SJM: Do you have a favorite event?
NC: Definitely the 100. I never expected to be that fast in it, and I’m slowly getting better at the things I need to improve on.
SJM: You’re still young, but have you started thinking about college yet, and would you like to run at the next level?
NC: 100%. I’m looking for a school that has a great program and great academics, so I don’t get stuck in a bad environment. Some people go to a college with a good track team, but it messes up their schooling. I want to make sure I go where it’s even for both.
SJM: Do you have any idea what you would like to study?
NC: Probably business. I want to join DECA next year and get into stuff like that.
SJM: How do you prepare for a big meet or a big race?
NC: I like to listen to Brent Faiyaz or something calm. I stretch the night before the race, because I’ve noticed that helps me a lot. I have a brother who played football at a high school that’s very good, and he keeps me up on things like that. He’s also been helping me with eating better. I’m doing the little things to help me get better for my meets.
SJM: How long have you lived in Washington Township?
NC: Since eighth grade. I was living in Camden since elementary school, and then I moved here in eighth grade and that’s when I got involved in sports more. It definitely put me in a better environment. It’s a big school but I like it. … Every morning we do school announcements … and I like how they acknowledge the different sports. I like when they say my name.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
NC: I like doing hair. That’s something I wanted to go to college for before I got involved in track. I also like cooking, and sometimes I just like being alone and chilling. It keeps you calm not being around everyone else.
SJM: What’s your specialty dish?
NC: It’s not really cooking, but my mom loves my cookies. For cooking, my rice and chicken is up there. My mom never cooks that anymore, she makes me cook it. I’m getting better at learning other things and I was thinking about taking a class for cooking in school.
SJM: What is it like competing at the Meet of Champions?
NC: It’s nerve-wracking but it’s a great environment. … I had an injury with my toe so I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I came back and I was proud of myself for getting there. It shows the effort you need to get there.
Jeremy Brady, Eastern boys volleyball
Brady, a junior setter, is coming off a remarkable sophomore season in which he finished 11th in the state with 654 assists. He also had 220 digs and 25 kills to help the Vikings compile an 18-6 record.
SJM: Are you excited for the season to get underway?
JB: I’m really excited. I’m hoping that we can win the conference this year. We are a junior-oriented team. When I was a freshman, I had two other freshmen with me [on varsity], and then two more kids from our class joined last year, so now we have five juniors who are good and I think we have a really strong team.
SJM: How did you first get into volleyball?
JB: Both of my parents played volleyball in college. My sister also played and I went to a few of her games, and I just gradually got brought into the sport and kept playing.
SJM: Did you become a setter right away?
JB: I actually started with beach volleyball, and everyone around me told me that my hands are really clean for setting, so I naturally went straight to setter and stuck with it. I did a pretty good job with it and I just want to keep giving my teammates great sets.
SJM: What do you like about the position?
JB: You have to lead the team and you’re in control, because you touch the ball the most on the court.
SJM: How do you develop chemistry with your hitters?
JB: It’s just practice and repetition. You have to get used to how high they jump and how fast they like it, and you can only get that through repetition. Every hitter is different—that’s something I learned right away as a setter. Some like it fast, some like it high. But once you get used to setting for someone, you know how they like it. I switched club teams this year so I had a lot of new hitters, but I felt like I got used to it pretty quickly.
SJM: After recording 654 assists as a sophomore, is there a certain number you would like to get to this season?
JB: Whatever it takes to win. I would like to get to at least 1,000 assists, but I also could be playing outside since we might run a 6-2 [formation] this year. So I might get more hits and that would limit the amount of assists I get. We also graduated a few seniors who had a lot of skills, so it’s going to be harder to get assists.
SJM: Who is your biggest rival?
JB: This year I think it’s going to be Cherry Hill East. They’ve always been our rival in volleyball, and last year was the first year in a while that we beat them both times we played them. I think they’re going to come back even stronger and we’re going to have to play our hardest to beat them.
SJM: Do you still play beach at all?
JB: I love playing beach. I play every summer. That’s what I love about South Jersey—we’re right near the beach, so I go down almost every weekend to play volleyball. I feel like that’s where I gain my skills for digging the ball and setting.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
JB: I like playing video games, and I hang out with my friends almost every weekend. We’re pretty active and we have a lot of fun going to different places.
SJM: Do you play Xbox or PlayStation?
JB: Right now I’m PC. I started off playing Xbox, but as I got older we got a gaming PC and I transitioned to that.
SJM: Have you started thinking about college yet?
JB: I’m looking at colleges with a good business school and hopefully I can use my GPA to get into them. A few have recruited me … and I plan on playing volleyball in college. It’s just something I really enjoy and would like to continue.
Riley Austin, Haddonfield girls lacrosse
A four-year varsity player, Austin enters her senior season with 147 career goals, including 78 as a junior to go with 10 assists and 107 draw controls. Also a three-time sectional champion in cross country, she will focus on lacrosse at Harvard.
SJM: Has it sunk in that this is your final season at Haddonfield?
RA: My senior year has been going by so fast. But I’m really excited for the season.
SJM: What goals do you have for yourself and the team?
RA: I’m a captain this year, so one of my main goals is to be a leader for this team, and what that means to me is helping everyone on the team feel united and part of it and helping them become the best lacrosse player.
SJM: Do you expect this year’s team has the potential to be a sectional or state title contender?
RA: I definitely think we do. We’ve been playing together since youth, and I’ve been fortunate to have amazing teammates and coaches. I’m really excited to see what we can do this year, especially with our energy and the team chemistry we already have.
SJM: I know you played well your first two years, but last year was really a breakout season. Did you see that coming?
RA: Touching on what I said before, I’ve been so fortunate to have amazing coaches and teammates, not just in high school but in club, and they’ve helped me get better. Although it was super shocking and very rewarding to see what I could do and what our team could do, I owe it to the people who made me better.
SJM: What was it like to score your 100th career goal?
RA: It was so exciting. I remember seeing some of my best friends score their 100th goal and celebrating them, and it was exciting to have such an amazing team to celebrate with me.
SJM: How did you get into lacrosse?
RA: I started around third grade, and one of the biggest inspirations for me was my mom [Amy]. She was a three-time All-American at UVA, so I had big shoes to fill. She drove my passion and she was my coach in youth and high school, so she’s helped me develop my game.
SJM: I know you’re also a very successful runner. Was it hard to pick a sport for college?
RA: It was a tough decision, but I’ve been playing lacrosse for so much longer, and with my mom’s storied career in lacrosse, I’ve grown up in the lacrosse world. My younger sister also plays. I started cross country in middle school. I loved doing it, the team was amazing and so were the coaches, but I love lacrosse more.
SJM: Do you like playing in the midfield because you can have an impact at both ends of the field?
RA: Yes. Midfield is definitely my favorite and I don’t mind the running. I love getting to celebrate my teammates on either end of the field.
SJM: Harvard speaks for itself, but what made you commit there?
RA: I think when I went on my official visit is when I realized that it was definitely the place I wanted to go. The team culture and dynamic, I could already tell, was so amazing. The team was so welcoming and the coaches are so talented. I’m excited to learn from them and grow my game there. While I was in the recruiting process, I prioritized not only a great lacrosse program but also a good academic institution.
SJM: Do you know what you want to study?
RA: Not yet. Probably something in business, like management or entrepreneurship, but I also like economics and government.
SJM: Have you always taken your academics seriously?
RA: Yes. My family has always prioritized studying and getting good grades, but I’ve also held myself to that standard too.
SJM: Are you excited to be in Boston, which has quite a few well-regarded colleges?
RA: Yes. I’m so excited to get to know not only the people at Harvard, but also the people at Boston University and Boston College. I already know some lacrosse players there. I’m just excited to meet new people and have new experiences.
SJM: What are you going to miss the most about home, other than family?
RA: My friends. They are so supportive and very kind. They’ve helped me through so much this year and they’re always there for me. I think I’ll also miss Pancheros [laughs]. It’s like 45 minutes away from Harvard.
SJM: What do you like about growing up in Haddonfield?
RA: I really like the community. It’s such a small town that you almost know everyone. Everyone is kind and welcoming, and I love that I can walk to my friend’s house or walk into town to buy food. I know if I need something, my neighbors will help me.
SJM: What else do you do for fun?
RA: I love to hang out with my friends—I think that’s my No. 1 thing besides my family. I love to either get food with them, or go to the beach with them in the summertime. I have a house in Margate so my friends always try to get down and we have fun there.
SJM: How do you get fired up for a big game?
RA: Either in the locker room or on the bus, we’ll listen to a song. Throughout the season, we pick one song to listen to, and it’s a motivating song for everyone. We all sing together and it really unites our team and gets us focused on the team aspect and playing together.
SJM: Is there a person on the team who can lighten the mood during a tough practice or game?
RA: I definitely have to go with one of my friends, Ava Carpenter. She’s always there to make a great joke or hype everyone up if we’re in the middle of a tough practice or a run. She’s always there to give you a stick-click or a high-five.
SJM: Do you like playing for coach Jessica Blake?
RA: I love coach Blake. She’s helped me so much over these four years in developing my skills and also becoming more aware of the game. She’s very motivating.
SJM: Her daughter also played in the Ivy League, at Princeton.
RA: Yes. Mackenzie Blake was my inspiration when I was a kid—she used to train me. Grace Farrell, whose mom is our other coach, is now at Princeton and it’s so exciting to see her play there. She’s crushing it already as a freshman.
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 12 (March 2026)
Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 12 (March 2026)
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