Where are they now? Catching up with former Hanover/Adams athletic stars
What happens to star athletes after they move on?
In this series reflecting on area athletic superstars, we'll learn more on how these young athletes' peaks extend far beyond their school sports career.
Former Delone Catholic pitcher Casey Lawrence went undrafted after completing his college baseball career at Albright College in Reading in 2010. Five years later, he's not only pitching professionally at the Class AA level for the Toronto Blue Jays organization, but he's racked up more wins than any other pitcher in the history of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Click here to read Lawrence's story.
Where are they now?
Matt Marshall, Spring Grove, football: Only two weeks into his freshman year at college, former Spring Grove quarterback Matt Marshall had major surgery. His time spent rehabbing sparked his interest in fitness and training properly. Now, he's helping to train local athletes.
Mark Phillips, Hanover, baseball: Phillips was the No. 9 player to be drafted in the 2000 MLB Draft. In the spring of 2005, the New York Yankees released him after five years in the minor leagues, and for the first time in his life, getting to the major leagues no longer seemed possible. Ten years later, Phillips is back in Hanover. And for the first time in a decade, his life is starting to make sense again.
John Gabriel, Delone Catholic basketball: Delone Catholic graduate John Gabriel led the Squires to the state championship and went on to become a top NBA executive. He helped bring the Orlando Magic to Florida, and now he works in the New York Knicks front office. Now, he's facing a whole new challenge: Parkinson's disease.
Meredith Cox, Delone Catholic basketball: Cox racked up some serious achievements with the Squirettes: two PIAA Class AA Player of the Year honors, three state titles, four Associated Press all-state selections, and 2,097 career points. Today, she's come full circle, giving back to young athletes by raising scholarship funds for James Madison's athletic department.
Nikki Lobach, South Western basketball: Lobach, who now goes by her married name, Nikki Horanburg, graduated as the Mustangs' all-time leader in points (1,442) and steals, and second all-time in assists. She says she never expected to go into coaching, but she recently wrapped up her first season as girls' basketball coach at West Shore Christian.
Others:
Have someone we should consider? Contact Brandon Stoneburg (bstoneburg@eveningsun.com) or Zach Miller (zmiller@eveningsun.com) with suggestions.