July 14, 2008

Where Will They Be?

You may not know their names or their faces just yet, but you will—and soon. These 15 teens are among the best in their sports in their age groups, and each one is on track to be a star at a major college, earn professional riches or go for gold at an Olympic Games. (In some cases, maybe all three)

Text by Joe Lemire

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Seantrel Henderson
16 OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Minneapolis

Achievements Recruiting guru Tom Lemming rates the 6'7", 303-pound Seantrel as the top recruit in the class of 2010, saying that the Cretin-Derham Hall ( St. Paul) standout "outruns running backs to the end zone."

Reminiscent of Bryant McKinnie. "A bunch of us were invited out to watch the Vikings practice, and one of our coaches yells, 'Hey, that's Seantrel!'" recalls Raiders coach Mike Scanlon. "Seantrel looks like the [6'8", 335-pound] guy who's playing left tackle for the Minnesota Vikings."

Coach's comment "He moves really well—he's got very good feet," says Scanlon. "A lot of guys his age are just big and get by on bulk, but his technique is very good."

Next step Seantrel, who reportedly already has verbal scholarship offers from Florida, Notre Dame and Ohio State, has no college favorite. "As soon as September 1 [when official, written offers can be made] rolls around, he's going to have more choices than he knows what to do with," Scanlon says.

Nick Vena
15 SHOT-PUTTER
Whippany, N.J.

Achievements As a freshman at Morristown High, Vena won the National Scholastic Indoor Championship and was second at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Along the way he smashed the indoor (66'7 1/4") and outdoor (67'10 1/4") freshman records; his indoor throw was the best in the nation among all classes.

Reminiscent of Garrett Johnson. Like the two-time NCAA champ at Florida State, the 6'4", 260-pound Nick uses his speed and athleticism. "He's not a brute," says his father, Victor, who was a high school shot-putter. "He doesn't rely on his weightlifting numbers for distance. He's turning on the ball more than many college athletes. It's a gift."

Coach's comment "Every day he works so hard, and he is so diligent and so well-conditioned," says Colonials coach Paul Buccino. "He's a rotary spinner and really has perfected his technique, in sticking to a power position."

Next step Nick, who was mentored in grades six through eight by Tony Naclerio, the throws coach for the '96 U.S. Olympic team, is focused on "breaking records and winning meets."