HRA's Marston Wins Virginia HS Heisman


Original version of article published in Daily Press Newport News Town Square section on November 30, 2012. For more information, please visit www.dailypress.com or www.hrvarsity.com.

Geoffrey Marston of Hampton Roads Academy was recently honored with one of high schools highest awards of athletic distinction. In early November, the senior swimmer was selected as the Virginia State Winner of the 2012 Wendy’s High School Heisman award.

As the name suggests, the award is given in conjunction with the Heisman Trophy, college football’s most distinguished honor. And the competition is almost as fierce. Over 45,000 applicants started the process, working through a rigorous elimination system beginning at the school level, one which resulted in 100 winners - one male and female winner from each state.

The high school program, now in its 19th year, celebrates the hard work, dedication and exceptional records in athletics, academics and community leadership. Spokesman Archie Griffin, a two-time winner of the collegiate Heisman said, “Colleges want well-rounded students, and with admissions being more selective, a national award like the Wendy’s High School Heisman can really help students stand out. Geoffrey and Caroline (Brailsford, the girls state winner) are inspirations to others in their school and community, and we’re honored to welcome them into the Heisman family.

As noted in its literature, the award has set the standard for high school student-athletes and gained prestige among colleges and universities nationwide. From listening to Marston and his swim coach and teachers at HRA, it becomes apparent that he is indeed a worthy recipient.

Mrs. Rebecca Deeley, Marston’s AP Environmental Science teacher, commented on her student’s influence on his classmates. “Geoff is remarkable in the way he raises the level of the game. He’s proactive, he’s engaged, and informed, which brings the rest of the class up.” In an interesting twist, she adds, “When we do labs or group projects, he doesn’t always pick another “A” student to work with. He finds someone that might not have the best grade in the class, and that way, they both earn “A’s.” For their current project, the class is working with the growth of a pet lunar moth, and are awaiting its emergence from the cocoon to occur “any day.”

Navigator swim coach Jeff Scott has spent more time with Marston, working with the versatile swimmer for “about six or seven years, beginning with the Coast Guard (club team).” Now in his third year as coach at HRA, Scott spoke of Marston’s leadership qualities. “Geoff is very versatile as a swimmer. Last year, he did the fly, the back, the intermediate medley. Really, he does whatever is best for the team. I look forward to his leadership this year.” Giving an example, Scott added, “If I were not to show at practice, Geoff would be able to take over.” The HRA swim team will be defending its Division 2 VISAA (Virginia Independent School) title this year for both the boys and girls squads.

While maintaining a 4.21 GPA and having scored 1370 on the two main components of the SAT exam, Marston has found time for other interests, to the amazement of both his teacher and coach.

Because of his experience as a basketball and baseball player at Warhill High, his previous school, Marston has stayed in touch with both sports by being involved with Buddy Ball, a program sponsored through the Williamsburg Youth Baseball League (www.williamsburgbaseball.com) and designed for children and young adults, ages 5-20, with special needs who are unable to participate in the established Cal Ripken or Babe Ruth leagues. His inspiration came from older brother Rob, who is autistic. Now 25, Rob was involved in the program and introduced the younger Marston into both Buddy Ball and Buddy Hoops, its basketball counterpart.

“It’s amazing to me how forward everyone looks to it,” said Marston, thinking of the Sunday sessions which he has worked for three years in the fall and spring. “Even if it’s just for one hour on Sunday, (the players and buddies) talk about it all week.”

It’s an experience which has helped him as a leader on the HRA swim team. “Seeing the younger kids develop has made me realize how much we have improved as a team. We want to continue the tradition.” With HRA’s standing as a pre K-12 school, the younger Navigators are aware of Marston’s accomplishments. Adds Deeley, “it’s safe to say that a lot of the little kids know Geoff.”

Marston’s future plans are not finalized yet, but he wants to attend college next year and study either engineering or medicine. Both coach Scott and teacher Deeley agree that he can do either one ably. Competitive aquatics are also part of his future. “I’m planning on swimming at a Division I school.” A trip to the NCSA Junior National swim meet in Orlando next March should be a good measuring stick for his recruitment value.

Perhaps the only question left in Geoffrey Marston’s planning deals with the location of the state Heisman award itself. His selection as the state winner was noted on the Wendy’s website two weeks ago. But at the time of the interview, no contact had been made with the Marston’s, nor had an actual award, or ceremony plans, arrived. Marston took the communication blunder in stride. “It’s just an honor to be representing HRA.”





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