At Delbarton, our student-athletes are often defined by what they do on the field and in the classroom. For Sal Garcia, a Virginia commit and 2025 New Jersey Player of the Year in baseball, and Brayden Garcia, a standout on the lacrosse field, competition is nothing new.

But this winter, both seniors traded cleats for costumes, stepping into an entirely different arena — the stage — as members of the Abbey Players in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

What started as a leap outside their comfort zones turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of their Delbarton careers.

Taking the First Step

For Brayden, the decision came from a mix of encouragement and timing.

"My whole life, I've enjoyed singing and dancing with family and friends," he said. "But I never thought about doing it in front of others. Coach Matt Corica really encouraged me, and knowing it was my last year pushed me to try something new."

Sal's path began with Brayden.

"When Brayden brought it up, I was hesitant," Sal admitted. "But after talking with him, I decided to reach out and get involved. Being comfortable being uncomfortable is something that translates to the field, and I wanted to challenge myself in that way."

Discovering Something New

Both athletes quickly realized that theater demanded something different — and revealed something deeper.

"I learned there's a side of me I never really showed to my teammates," Brayden said. "I honestly wish I had discovered that earlier in high school."

For Sal, the experience opened his eyes to the commitment behind the performance.

"I learned how much time and effort goes into something like this," he said. "It's a different kind of nervousness than I feel on the field, and I realized how much I cared about the show, even in a short time."

A Different Kind of Pressure

While performing and competing may seem worlds apart, both found surprising similarities.

"It felt like one of the most intense games I've ever played," Brayden said. "But with even more adrenaline because it was so new."

Sal agreed, noting that while the pressure takes a different form, the feeling is familiar.

"On stage, the pressure is about being watched and not missing a line," he said. "In a game, it's more split-second and physical. But the adrenaline, the nerves, and the need to stay locked in — those are the same."

Preparation, too, mirrored what they already knew.

"In baseball, we repeat drills until they become automatic," Sal said. "Theater is the same — rehearsing scenes and timing until everything flows."

Athletes on Stage

Their backgrounds as athletes became an advantage in unexpected ways.

"Teamwork and discipline helped a lot," Brayden said. "The cast was so supportive, and over time my confidence grew because of that."

Sal echoed that sentiment.

"Discipline helps with preparation, confidence helps you stay calm, and teamwork is everything," he said. "You have to trust everyone to do their part for it all to work."

More Than a Performance

Beyond the show itself, both seniors point to the relationships they built as the most lasting part of the experience.

"I met so many new people I wouldn't have interacted with otherwise," Brayden said. "Those friendships made the whole experience even more special."

For Sal, it reinforced the value of stepping outside familiar circles.

"It's a chance to meet people you might not have known before and grow in ways you don't expect," he said.

A Message to Other Athletes

Now that they've taken the stage, both have the same advice for others.

"Absolutely try something outside your sport," Brayden said. "It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at Delbarton. I just wish I had started earlier."

Sal agrees.

"It builds skills you don't always develop on the field and helps you handle pressure in new ways," he said. "It can make you a better athlete — and a better person."

For Sal Garcia and Brayden Garcia, the words of former Athletic Director Brian Fleury truly resonate- "If you're going to get wet, get soaked."  Their preseason ended under the lights, in front of a crowd, proving that at Delbarton, the best stories aren't always written on the field — sometimes, they're performed on stage.