Often is the case in athletics, top offensive talent garners the attention of the press, opposing teams, and fans. In reality, defense allows the opportunity for offense to create chances across all sports, and as the old cliche goes, “Defense wins Championships.” For Dolphin Varsity Boys Lacrosse, this week’s Athlete of the Week, junior defenseman Brady Old, is anchoring a solid defensive line and has Cape Henry Collegiate poised to win a TCIS championship due to his exceptional defensive talents. Whether it is cleaning up after a practice or shutting down one of the country’s top offensive threats, Brady is willing to do whatever it takes to make the Dolphins a better program.

Simply put, Brady is a guy who does what the coaches ask, no questions asked.

As Head Coach Joe Thompson said of Brady Old, “He carries the water jug, he cleans the bus, he brings the speaker so we have music! He’s a ‘team-first’ guy.  I have said before, and I’ll say it again; if I ever have a son, I hope he grows up to be like Brady Old. He’s a joy to coach, and I cannot wait to see what life has in store for him.”

Throughout competition last week, the Dolphins finished 2-1 as Varsity Boys Lacrosse took on Grassfield High School, Steward School, and St. Anne’s Belfield. The Dolphin defense held Grassfield to two goals on Wednesday afternoon and followed the dominant defensive performance with another exceptional outing against Steward School. In the TCIS matchup with Steward School, the defense held the Spartans to three goals for a total of five goals on the week. On Saturday the Dolphins traveled to St. Anne’s Belfield for a contest with one of the country’s top offenses. Despite falling short, the Dolphin defense, with Brady at the helm, showed glimpses of greatness as Cape Henry held STAB to two goals in the first half.

“Last week, specifically, Brady and his teammates were tasked with stopping a highly-touted STAB offense, and we kept them in check almost the whole first half.  Brady has emerged as one of our best cover guys when we’re in man to man, and one of our best communicators when we’re in zone or man down. Brady is a dependable cog in our defense.  He was part of a group that held Steward and Grassfield to five total goals,” Coach Thompson continued of Old.

While defensemen typically do not pick up an abundance of recorded statistics, Brady did scoop ten ground balls across the three contests last week, leading to numerous offensive chances.

“Brady has been able to improve at a rapid rate due to the type of guy he is on and off the field. His work ethic and drive to be the best he can are second to none. Brady is the guy who brings his ‘lunch pail’ to work every day, he keeps his head down and pushes through, no matter what!  Across the board, athletics need more of that mentality. Brady has played close defense, he has played Long Stick Midfield, he has been on the sideline, and he has started; whatever is asked of him, Brady does, and that, to me, is what being a teammate and leader is all about,” Coach Thompson said of Brady.

Coach Thompson finished, “If someone asked me to sum up Brady Old in one word, I would say ‘teammate.’   I’m certainly thankful for the teammate he has been this past week and, frankly, the past two years. As the Dolphins’ season begins to wind down, Cape Henry will wrap up TCIS play with Hampton Roads Academy, Nansemond Suffolk, and concluding the regular season with Norfolk Academy. With the leadership, selflessness, and defense talent Brady Old possesses, Cape Henry Collegiate is vying for a TCIS Championship in May.