South Jersey Magazine - Gloucester County / Newsstand

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SJM_FallAthletes_1121 - v2 - FINAL_Feature 10 / 27 / 21 4 : 01 PM Page 2 S T A R S T U D E N T A T H L E T E S A senior forward , Heck is once again among New Jersey’s top scorers after leading the state in goals as a sophomore and junior . She became just the seventh player in the RYLEIGH HECK , nation to ever reach 200 career goals earlier this season and was approaching 300 when the playoffs started . She was hoping to hit that milestone while leading Eastern EASTERN FIELD HOCKEY to a state championship . SJM : Not many high school players in the country RH : I was on the indoor national team during the Pan Am our team , to make us better in every way . have scored 200 career goals . Was it meaningful to Cup , which is a qualifier for the World Cup . We placed first Your older sister Kara also had a great career you to get to that number and join a select group , or and now we’re training for the World Cup in February in SJM : at Eastern , although it was cut short by injury . What was it something you never even thought about ? Belgium . I’m super excited and a little scared . RH : It definitely was on my mind but I tried not to focus too kind of influence has she had on you ? RH : She was definitely a big role model my freshman year . much on it . It’s obviously a very honorable accomplishment She was an amazing player and I loved watching her and but I never want to just think about scoring goals . I’d rather playing with her . She also loved to yell at me on the field , but think about getting better with my teammates and being suc - I would listen to what she said instead of getting down on cessful in big games . myself . I obviously miss playing with her even though it was Do you know Austyn Cuneo at all ? Have you only for one year . She’s at Boston College now . SJM : thought about your chances of breaking her school What made you commit to North Carolina ? record of 328 goals ? SJM : RH : I went to a couple of her games when I was younger . I RH : It’s always been my dream school ; I think third grade don’t know if I could’ve beaten her record but I definitely was the first time I went there . There’s a picture of me on the think I would have had a better chance if we had a full sea - field and I’m about 3 feet tall . I just love the area , I love the son last year . But things don’t always go your way because of environment and the field hockey program . My freshman year COVID and everything else . I’m still reaching for 300 . I don’t when I got a call from the coach , I knew I wanted to go there know if I’ll get there but I’m going to try . and I made the decision . What has it been like having your mom as the So you will be playing against your sister in SJM : SJM : new head coach for Eastern this year ? college since North Carolina and Boston College are in RH : It brings back memories when I was younger because the same conference . RH : Yes . My family is more on my sister’s side because she was my coach all through elementary and middle they’re big BC supporters . They think it’s going to be a tough school . I love having her on the field at practice and every - match . thing . She understands Eastern’s program and she under - stands field hockey in general . She’s very close with a lot of What was the experience like playing for Team SJM : girls on the team . It’s super fun and at the same time she hard on us and strict , but she does everything for USA this past summer ? can be Welsey , a senior , became Shawnee’s starting quarterback midway through his freshman year and has been one of the top players in the area ever since . He led the MATT WELSEY , Renegades to sectional championships each of his first two seasons and became the program’s all - time passing leader earlier this season . The career record for touchdown SHAWNEE FOOTBALL passes is also in his reach . SJM : SJM : It doesn’t seem like that long ago that you Shawnee has had a lot of great players over the same once I get to college but we’ll see . were starting as a freshman and helping Shawnee win years , including former QB Michael Welsh . What did it a sectional title , and here you are a senior . Has it gone mean to you to break his school record for career by quickly for you ? passing yards earlier this season ? MW : It feels like yesterday I was sitting there at Clearview MW : I think after the season I’ll look back on it and re - watching all the seniors have their big night and winning the alize how special it was . That night , he was there and he championship . It’s definitely gone by real fast and I’m trying came up to me and said , ‘ Make history . You deserve this to take it all in during the last few weeks that I’ve got . and there’s no one else I would rather hand this off to . ’ It’s definitely awesome but it hasn’t really set in yet . I just Does this year’s team have the potential to go SJM : wanted to win that game and get it over with . on a playoff run ? MW : I think we definitely do . We have a lot of kids coming What do you like to do when you have a break SJM : back who were injured and we look real good in practice . We from football ? MW : Because of COVID , I started playing golf a lot , like have a great offense right now and our defense is starting to most people . I also like to fish because I live right near a click , so I really think we can make a big run . lake . It’s mostly golf , lifting and football . Quarterback is one of the most important posi - SJM : You’re wearing No . 44 this year , an honor given tions in all of sports . What do you love about it ? SJM : MW : Just being able to lead and being myself out there . I each year to a senior in memory of former Medford have full control of what I want to do when I get the ball . It’s so youth player Nick Garner , who passed away in 1995 . fun being out there with my friends , throwing them the ball and What does that mean to you ? MW : I think I’ve worn it with pride and having Mr . Garner having them score touchdowns , and winning football games . pick me is an honor . My brother wore it last year and that SJM : Who are the QBs you like to watch ? started to become a goal when I saw that change him into a MW : This is probably what everyone says , but Tom Brady great man . I’m really glad I got it . just because of how smart he is on the field . He knows where What do you want to study in college ? to go with the ball all the time . I also like Patrick Mahomes SJM : Allen because when they’re off balance they can MW : Right now I want to study finance . Everybody loves and Josh still make great throws . It’s crazy to watch them . money so that’s my plan . I don’t know if it will stay the S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 1 8 , I S S U E 7 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 3 7

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SJM_FallAthletes_1121 - v2 - FINAL_Feature 10 / 27 / 21 4 : 02 PM Page 3 A senior running back / defensive back , Silver has been a key player for Washington Township since he was a sophomore . This fall he has helped the Minutemen enjoy their JO’NATHAN SILVER most successful season in years and establish themselves once again as a premier WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP program in South Jersey . FOOTBALL SJM : It feels like there’s a buzz around town again SJM : What do you like about growing up in Washing - the young fans in town . Why is that important to you ? JS : Me and my teammates were actually just talking about for the football team . What’s it like to be playing in ton Township ? JS : Everyone is nice in my opinion and loves each other . I this.When we were kids , we would be in the big room with front of packed houses on Friday nights ? JS : It’s nice to be able to bring back the love of football in feel like we come together as a community . the high school football guys . Just watching them , we were Township for everybody . I was here when people weren’t com - in awe . They could have been NFL players for all we knew . ing to the games and people were calling us bad . It’s nice to Now that we’re in the same position , it’s so nice to look at prove those people wrong and now have them on our side . these kids and know I’m an inspiration to them . Even the kids on the eighth grade team look up to me and treat me How far do you think this team can go ? SJM : like a celebrity . It’s so nice to be able to have an impact on JS : A sectional championship is definitely something I think these kids . we can achieve . … We want to have home playoff games What are some of your other interests aside throughout the postseason , for sure . SJM : from football ? Are there running backs you like to watch and JS : I like to hang out with my friends a lot , I like to play SJM : model your game after ? PlayStation and I also like to read books when I get some JS : Definitely Alvin Kamara , he’s my favorite player in the free time . I feel like everybody needs to read . I mostly read NFL . I also like Saquon Barkley . I wore No . 26 after him my young adult fiction . sophomore and junior year . But Alvin Kamara is the guy I try What are your favorite PlayStation games ? to emulate , even the way he dresses in games and his hair . SJM : JS : I like to play Apex Legends and Rainbow Six Siege . I He’s really my idol , to be honest . used to be a 2K guy but not anymore recently . I know academics are very important to you SJM : Do you have a pregame routine ? and you do well in school . Do you know what kind of SJM : JS : Not really . I have some songs that I like to listen to but I career you would like to pursue ? JS : I’m actually not sure because I’m still not sure what I like to be more chill before games . I’m never the person to like to study . I’m figuring that out and I don’t think I’ll be fig - be screaming before games or banging my face against the uring it out until I get to college . locker . I listen to chill or mellow music , and then right before game time I’ll amp it up a little bit with loud music . But my I’ve heard how you enjoy being a role model for SJM : teammates will tell you I’m not the rah - rah guy . Lenape’s first singles player since her freshman year , Sethi has put together another strong season this fall as a junior . She made it to the final at both the Burlington RHEA SETHI , County Open and Olympic Conference Tournament and reached the quarterfinals at the LENAPE GIRLS TENNIS South Jersey Interscholastic Championships . SJM : How did you get into tennis in the first place ? about what I was passionate about and apply that to what I dad follow all of his matches . I’ve never been able to see him RS : I was probably around 4 or 5 years old . Tennis is some - wanted to do in life . He would always foster these amazing but if I could , I would love to see him at Wimbledon if he thing my dad is really passionate about and something we discussions and he would always want to hear everyone’s comes back for a final Grand Slam . can both connect over . If it weren’t for my dad , I definitely opinion . … Even though it was an English class , I learned so SJM : Do you know what you want to study in college ? wouldn’t be where I am today . He has made me passionate much about life and so much about myself because he cares RS : I want to go on the pre - med track so my major would about tennis and has really made me want to succeed in so much about his students and always wants to see every - probably be biology or biological studies , something in that tennis and go further than I ever imagined I’d be able to . I re - one succeed . area . Tennis has helped me realize how much I love helping member there were these courts near my old house in Mount others because I also coach and volunteer . I really love work - Laurel and I remember going there every single day . We ing with kids and through some experiences I’ve had in the would practice , hit some balls , and it was really fun because to medical field , I knew it was something I’ve always wanted it was something I could connect over with him . do . I think I would like to do pediatrics . Do you and your dad still hit together ? SJM : RS : Yes . It’s different because I’m kicking his butt now . He What else do you like to do in your free time ? SJM : RS : I’m really involved in DECA at my school , which is a doesn’t admit that though . public speaking business club . I compete in a team event for Do you follow the sport closely ? business ethics and we actually did really well last year . We SJM : RS : Yes . We always have the pros on in the background , es - placed fifth in the state and were able to make it to interna - pecially when it’s the U.S . Open or any of the majors . I went tionals , which was virtual . DECA is always something I’ve to the U.S . Open right before school started and we saw Ley - been passionate about . I also like volunteering , going to the lah Fernandez . She’s such a breakout star and it was amaz - gym , cooking and traveling . With my friends , I love exploring ing to see her and how much she gets into every point . everything that South Jersey has to offer . On the weekends we’re always looking to go somewhere new , like a restaurant , If you could pick one of the other Grand Slams SJM : a farmers market or an event . to go to , which one would it be ? RS : I’d definitely pick Wimbledon just because of the tradi - Do you have a favorite teacher at Lenape ? SJM : RS : I would have to say one of my favorite teachers was Mr . tion there . It’s always been something I’ve wanted to experi - [ Andre ] Lopez . He was my English teacher . I think it was ence . I’d love to see Roger [ Federer ] there because he’s my through him that I realized how to find my voice , really think favorite player of all time . I love him so much and me and my 3 8 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 1 8 , I S S U E 7 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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