Nick Sustersic ’18, Justin Hershey ’18: The Feliziani family has enhanced Episcopal’s athletic program for many years in multiple sports. Eldest brother, Anthony Feliziani completed his EA football career in 2014 and graduated, leaving two final Felizianis for EA, Christian ‘16 and Ariana ‘17. Christian will wrap up a decorated Episcopal football and lacrosse career this year. At the same time, his younger sister Ariana has a full year left after this spring season and is eager to continue to compete.
“She is very dedicated to everything she does and to her team. Although running is an individual sport, she is able to make it more like a team atmosphere in order to improve herself and her teammates. Her work ethic is really solid and really separates her from other runners,” Cross Country Coach, Laurie Finnical, explained. Surprisingly, this was only Ariana’s first season running cross country and she immediately had a huge impact on the team here at EA. “She was voted captain for next year and that is really impressive since she has only run one season of cross country.” Ariana, however, much like her brother, is not a single sport athlete. She is also a star softball player. “Growing up, I started playing softball when I was five, and [my brothers] would always take me outside because both of them used to play football before Christian started to play lacrosse. They would pitch to me and teach me everything my dad taught them.” Softball has had a significant impact on Ariana’s time here at EA and will continue to this spring and into her senior season. Throughout her career, she has helped EA softball to become an Inter-Ac powerhouse, winning two straight Inter-Ac titles. Ariana says she still has work to do here at EA, saying “We’ve won the Inter-Ac title the past two years so I would like to do that again, win it again and go back to the state championship.” Ariana will hit the field this spring for her second to last season of EA softball and will be sure to have a huge impact on the team.
Christian Feliziani will complete his EA journey as he and his lacrosse teammates will seek an Inter-Ac title. Throughout his life, Christian has treasured his relationship with his brother Anthony, “He taught me what it meant to work hard and showed me the right path to be successful.” Christian is an accomplished member of lacrosse and football teams and has captained both. Coach Todd Farlie of the football team also attributes much of Christian’s success to his big brother saying, “Whenever you have an older brother to look up to, you should. Anthony was a great player and a great role model. Anthony probably wasn’t the same gifted athlete in terms of his ability, but he was very hard-working, tough, and physical and I think that pushed Christian to follow in his footsteps.” As far as football goes, he finished his career as Captain of the team this fall in addition to earning First Team all Inter-ac as one of the best wide receivers in the league. Assistant Lacrosse Coach Will Gibbs says that he loves watching Christian play and work so hard on the field but also says, “I hope that he gives hope to younger and smaller underclassmen, that if you put in the time and effort, good things will happen.”
Anthony, Christian, and Ariana Feliziani have made a mark on the EA athletic program like very few before them and have proven themselves to be truly dedicated athletes in their respective sports.