Yemi Cole named Smyrna High’s male athlete of the year
At a time when more and more top high school athletes specialize in a single sport, Smyrna High’s Yemi Cole continued to do it all as a multi-sport athlete.
Cole competed in three sports in his senior year, and was named the most valuable player for all three of them at Smyrna High’s athletic awards ceremony on May 21.
On top of that, Cole was selected as Smyrna High’s male athlete of the year.
While introducing Cole to the audience, Smyrna High athletic director Bill Schultz said Cole’s coaches described him as a great student-athlete, a joy to coach, and someone who leads by example.
“He’s a three-sport varsity athlete and excels at each one,” Schultz said.
As he announced the selection of Cole as football MVP, head football coach Clay Lloyd noted that Cole was a three-way player for the Eagles in the fall – on offense, defense and special teams.
He contributed to the football team as a standout receiver, a skilled defensive back and a dangerous return man on special teams.
Cole was also selected team MVP for the indoor track team in the winter and the boys’ track and field team in the spring.
This spring, Cole won Henlopen Conference titles in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. He also finished second in both events in the state in Division II.
After the ceremony, Cole was excited about receiving athlete of the year honors after his senior year.
“It’s amazing, unexpected,” he said. “It makes me feel real good.”
Cole said it takes a lot of drive, dedication and hard work to be a three-sport athlete in high school. You also need love for it, he said.
“I’m definitely going to miss football, putting on that jersey, and running on that track,” he said.
Cole also thanked his teammates and his coaches for pushing him.
“I’d like to thank everyone – all my coaches and teammates and the fans,” he said. “I’ll miss everything.”
Caryn Deakyne selected Smyrna High’s female athlete of the year
Over the course of her four years at Smyrna High, Caryn Deakyne helped lead two of the school’s sports programs to unprecedented success.
She joined the new Smyrna High volleyball program as a freshman and helped build up the program from scratch and turn it into a winner. Deakyne racked up the points as a middle hitter for the Eagles, who strung together back-to-back winning seasons the past two years.
Deakyne also served as goalkeeper for the girls’ soccer squad during the best season in program history. She posted nine shutouts in 16 games this spring as the team went 12-3-1 and earned its first-ever state tournament berth.
At Smyrna High’s athletic awards ceremony on May 21, Deakyne was named the most valuable player for both the volleyball and girls’ soccer teams.
She was also selected Smyrna High’s female athlete of the year.
While announcing the athlete of the year honor, Smyrna High athletic director Bill Schultz said one of Deakyne’s coaches described her “as one of the most talented athletes I’ve ever had the privilege to coach.”
“Her teammates respond to her confidence and maturity,” Schultz said.
As he announced the girls’ soccer MVP award winner, head girls’ soccer coach Ryan Buchanan said Deakyne re-wrote the school’s record books for the goalie position.
Deakyne was both surprised and excited to be named Smyrna High’s female athlete of the year.
“I really didn’t expect it at all,” she said. “It’s so cool.”
Deakyne said it takes extreme dedication, lots of time and lots of practice to excel at multiple sports in high school.
But all that hard work teaches time management skills.
Deakyne said that when you’re always active and dedicating time to sports, it forces you to get your schoolwork done in a timely manner.
“Being an athlete helps being a student,” she said.
Looking back, Deakyne said she’ll always remember her teammates, her coaches, “and all the hard work we put in together.”
She also thanked girls’ soccer coach Ryan Buchanan and volleyball coach Danny Wandless for their support.
“They’re both really amazing people,” she said.
