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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