Sportzwire's Wired Athlete of the Week: Caden Newswanger – A Relentless Drive on and off the Field

By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | October 20, 2025 | Photo courtesy Madelyn Bevan (Bevan Photography)

When you meet Caden Newswanger, senior at Tunkhannock High School, it's clear you're talking to more than just a talented athlete, you're talking to a leader, a role model, and a relentless competitor. It's that combination of skill, dedication, and character that has earned him the title of Sportzwire’s 'Wired' Athlete of the Week.

A Soccer Standout with a Record-Breaking Season

Caden’s soccer journey began when he was just five or six years old, kicking around a ball with dreams bigger than his cleats. From early days with the local Abington Club to joining the more competitive HEX FC in Quakertown during middle school, his development has been fueled by year-round dedication and high-level competition.

Now in his senior year, Caden has made his final regular season one to remember, breaking the school record for most goals in a season with 32, surpassing the previous mark of 29 during a crucial matchup against Berwick on October 16. With 17 assists on top of that, he’s helped lead the Tigers to a 15-3 record, proving instrumental in clutch moments like overtime game-winners and pivotal plays off corner kicks.

Caden has started every year since freshman year, playing center midfield in 9th and 10th grades before shifting to center forward the past two seasons, an adjustment that has clearly paid off. He was also part of the Tunkhannock squad that won districts in his freshman year.

“This summer we really put in the work,” Caden shared. “We knew we had the talent and chemistry to make a run to win Districts. My teammates have inspired me. We have a lot of underclassmen who’ve worked their butts off to help get us where we are.”

Leading by Example

Caden’s leadership extends beyond his stats. As a three-year captain, his coach, Sante Romaldini, described him as a player who “sets the expectation on and off the field” and “motivates the rest of the team through his work ethic.” He’s become a four-year varsity starter, leading not just with goals, but with grit, vision, and composure.

Coach Romaldini also noted that Caden is willing to step into any position the team needs, prioritizing team success above all. Whether it’s a goal, an assist, or a tactical adjustment, Caden delivers.

His goal-scoring record was broken on a play designed off a corner—ironically the same one he used to seal an OT win against Wyoming Seminary. It’s moments like these where Caden’s poise and experience truly shine.

While Caden’s achievements at Tunkhannock are impressive, they only tell half the story. Outside of school, he plays for HEX FC, one of the premier ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) teams in the region. He trains with HEX two nights a week and competes in showcases and tournaments up and down the East Coast. During his sophomore summer, Caden and HEX traveled to California for the ECNL playoffs, finishing as one of the top 16 teams in the country, a testament to the level he’s competed at for years.

“Once the high school season ends, I’m right back with HEX,” said Caden, who’s been balancing practices, games, school, and recruiting visits with precision. He clearly spends many hours in the car traveling, from Florida to California, from Tunkhannock to Quakertown (a two-hour drive, twice a week) but he's never wavered.

“My parents have been super supportive. They’ve been doing this basically my whole life, and I couldn’t do any of this without them,” he said.

While soccer may be his main sport, Caden is also a standout basketball player and track and field athlete, throwing javelin, where he earned third place at Districts his sophomore and junior years. He’s played basketball since elementary school and still holds a deep love for the game. “I really enjoy both sports,” he admits, “but I made the decision early on to focus more on soccer because that’s where my talents excelled.”

In the classroom, Caden brings the same drive, maintaining a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 4.2 weighted GPA, earning him a spot on the Honor Roll. He’s involved in The Steering Committee, a school-based volunteer group, and regularly gives back to his community like helping at the local soup kitchen.

What's Next?

Though he hasn’t committed yet, Caden plans to continue playing soccer at the college level. With his resume of high-level play, leadership, academics, and character, it’s no surprise schools are showing interest.

“I love my coaches,” he said. “They’ve supported me since freshman year, through the rebuilding year in my sophomore season, and they stuck with me through junior and senior year. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

And Caden made sure to credit his childhood coach, Julio Pertuz, as the reason he has the foot skills he does now. Caden sure has had a village of supporters.

As the postseason looms, Caden’s focus is clear: win Districts. And if this season is any indication, the Tigers have every reason to believe that with #30 leading the charge, it’s more than just a goal, it’s a very real possibility.

Congratulations to Caden Newswanger, Sportzwire’s Wired Athlete of the Week, a record-setter, a leader, and a true ambassador for high school athletics.

Special thanks to our Wired Athlete of the Week sponsor, Envy Electrical.

Their continued support helps us shine a spotlight on standout student-athletes like Caden Newswanger. Envy Electrical is proud to back the next generation of leaders, both on and off the field. We thank them for their partnership and commitment to our local sports community.

Do you know a student athlete that just "different?" They excel on the field and off?  Nominate them now here at this link:

https://sportzwire.com/aotw-nominations/

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