Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Jenna Lucas
School: Fort Cherry
Class: Senior
Sports: Golf/volleyball
Lucas’ week: Actually, Lucas had a busy and productive day last week, participating on the boys golf and girls volleyball teams within a few hours of each event.
Last Thursday, Lucas was medalist, shooting a 4-over-par 39 at Fort Cherry Golf Club in a 216-228 loss to South Park. Immediately after her round, Lucas went to the high school, where she was the center on the volleyball team. She led the Rangers with 22 assists in a three-game sweep of Burgettstown.
Earlier in the week, Lucas led the team with 23 assists and five aces in a four-set victory over Avella.
Double duty: Lucas is not the first athlete to play two sports in the same season at Fort Cherry, just the latest. Small schools constantly struggle with low numbers in its programs. So an agreement was worked out.
Lucas has played volleyball and golf since her freshman season. She was manager of the volleyball team in her sophomore season.
Lucas is on pace to leave Fort Cherry with 12 letters in sports.
“The golf team really needed me,” said Lucas. “But the deal with that is that I am the starting center on the volleyball team. The only golf matches I go to is on game day. Golf ends at 5:30 and I hurry up to the school for the volleyball matches.”
It appears to be a win-win situation for both sports. The golf team gets a No. 1 golfer and the volleyball team gets a top center.”
“I can’t miss volleyball,” Lucas said. “When there is a match and volleyball practice on the same day, I have to go to volleyball.”
It’s hard to believe that Lucas has any spare time, considering she plays in a Sunday softball league, and is a member of the student council, the ping pong club and the ski club.
When winter rolls around, she can be found playing guard on the basketball team.
Her best sport: While Lucas is extremely active, her best sport – and the one that will eventually provide her a scholarship to college – is track and field. Lucas is the state Class AA champion in the javelin and just received her championship ring this week.
“I have a visit to the University of Central Florida,” she said. “I really like that school. I didn’t know anything about it. They sent me a questionnaire in the middle of my junior year and I made an unofficial visit when I was down (South) for a family reunion. The campus was so beautiful.”
– Compiled by Joe Tuscano