LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Jack Waranavage (Week Ending November 3, 2024)

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Jack Waranavage

In the First Round of the District 3 Playoffs, Cedar Crest overcame a 17-14 halftime deficit to defeat Hempfield 49-29 soundly. In the game, wide receiver Jack Waranavage was dynamic in the passing game, opening up opportunities for his offensive teammates to thrive. Quarterback Jackson Custer found his fellow senior a total of six times for 150 yards. Waranavage scored one touchdown and also perfected executed a “Hitch & Pitch,” during which he caught the ball, then lateralled to Cameron Tirado, who broke loose for an exciting touchdown that finished as a strong contender for “Play of the Year” in LebCo High School Football. For his efforts, Waranavage was voted as the LebCo Male Athlete of the Week.

When asked about the game, JackWar#4 said, “We had a good game plan going into the game, and we executed it well. We played a complete, 3-phase team win, and I’m proud of our guys.”

“Our guys” is how a leader speaks. Not only was Waranavage a team captain his senior year, but he also completed his high school career with the Falcons as a four-year letter winner and three-year starter. He helped to spark Cedar Crest to two straight District 3 Playoff appearances, including during his senior year that many thought would be a “down year,” but resulted in the program’s first postseason victory in 27 years.

Coach Nicholas Lambros said of his senior leader, “He is the best route runner and hardest working kid on our team. He has been the hardest working player in the weight room and pound for pound one of our strongest players.”

The first-year head coach went on to point out that Waranavage will do anything to help the team win: “In addition to being our top receiver, Jack serves as the long snapper, punt returner, and holder for field goals and extra points. He did all of this while never coming off the field on offense. He has truly been an example of leadership.”

Coming into the season, Waranavage set his goals as “building and improving each week,” something he felt he and his teammates did successfully. He elaborated by saying, “It started back in March with Sunday workouts and early morning lifts and continued all the way through the summer and into the season. I believe the buy-in from our team has led to our success.”

Waranavage knows a bit about success himself. In his three years as a starter, he has racked up a number of accolades: 3x All-County 1st Team Punt Returner; 2x All-County 1st Team Wide Receiver; 1x L-L Second Team Wide Receiver (2023); 3x Lancaster Lebanon League Academic Gold Winner. After having a monster senior season, Waranavage will be adding to that list before finishing his high school football career.

Waranavage’s level of success is something he comes by with the support of his parents, who were both athletes and have coached. His mother played and coached field hockey. His father, Tom, played collegiate football at Muhlenburg and has spent the past 31 years coaching high school, including several years as a head coach at Susquehannock and Cedar Crest.

While athletics take up a significant amount of time for Waranavage, including running Track in the Spring, he is also an earnest student. After high school, he hopes to continue his playing career while obtaining a four-year degree in Finance and/or Sports Management.

When he is not working, Waranavage enjoys watching sports. He is an avid Philadelphia E-A-G-L-E-S fan who always enjoys a solid win over the Cowboys. However, he did enjoy Dallas when he went with teammate and friend RJ Young to watch Wrestlemania 32 back in 2016.

Unfortunately, this past Friday night, Cedar Crest fell to Wilson in the Second Round of Districts, effectively ending Waranavage’s successful high school career. We wish him all of the best in his future endeavors and look forward to hearing about all of his successes that are sure to follow.

Photos by Rachelle Isgriggs

Read about this week’s LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: Maddie Stahl

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: October 28 – November 3rd

Previous Winners

Myles Watson (Week of August 19th)

Isaiah Zimmerman (Week of August 19th)

Bryce Keller (Week of August 26th)

Steven Rosado (Week of September 2nd)

Jozef Shkreli (Week of September 2nd)

Jackson Custer (Week of September 9th)

Mitchell Frederick (Week of September 16th)

Luke Oriel (Week of September 23rd)

Camron Buchmoyer (Week of September 30th)

Bryce Hoglund (Week of September 30th)

Dylan Ramsey (Week of October 7th)

Jonathon Shay (Week of October 7th)

Justin Kaplan (Week of October 14th)

Brady Stoops (Week of October 14th)

Oliver Funck (Week of October 21st)