River Hill all-county soccer player Natalie Cox will play at Davidson (N.C) College next fall.
"Other schools offered me more money, but I just loved Davidson so much it didn't matter," said Cox, who made official visits to the University of South Carolina, Bucknell, Wofford, Furman and Davidson. "When I went there, the ambience was great and the honor code they have there is very important to me. It's a great school academically and the coach said I'd probably be a starter."
Cox, who transferred to River Hill from McDonogh Sept. 30, 1996, scored 10 goals last fall for the Hawks, who won Howard County and region titles and shared the Class 2A-3A state championship with South River.
Cox will join 1996 Oakland Mills graduate Ginny Dye at Davidson, which is about 20 minutes from Charlotte, N.C. Dye started all 21 games for Davidson (4-14-3) last season, scoring four goals and adding an assist. Cox will be playing against some local players attending rival Southern Conference colleges -- Wilde Lake's Amanda Berman, who has committed to Wofford (S.C.) College, and Sara Tollick, a 1997 graduate of Seton Keough who plays at Furman.
Cox wants to become a pediatrician. Her father, Michael, is a gastroenterologist at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore.
"I've always respected his work ethic, and that started my interest in it [medicine]," said Cox, who has a 3.75 grade-point average. "I love children and this combines the two."
Cox, who plays for the Columbia Magic travel team, is serving a mentorship at the Pediatric Center in Dorsey Hall under Dr. Cathy Ward.
A member of the Maryland Olympic Development Program for six years, Cox traveled to Denmark, Sweeden and Iceland last summer as a guest player on St. Mary's high school team.
Ford off to UMBC
Glenelg's Rachel Ford decided with her heart.
A three-year starter and two-time all-county field hockey player, Ford has decided to play lacrosse when she attends UMBC next fall.
"I just love lacrosse, even though I'm probably better in field hockey," Ford said. "My dad really wanted me to play field hockey, but I decided I wanted to play something I love."
Ford said she made the decision after some "big family debates."
Ford, who has a 3.5 grade-point average, has 17 goals (second on team) and a team-high seven assists this season. Last year, she had 17 goals and 10 assists.
"I think that Rachel reached her peak in hockey two years ago, but I think's she really just beginning to tap into her potential in lacrosse," said Ginger Kincaid, who coaches the field hockey and girls lacrosse teams at Glenelg. "She probably is one of my most complete players. I think it was a good choice for her."
Softball
Glenelg, Howard and River Hill are tied for first place with 7-2 records, and they all play one another this week. Centennial and Wilde Lake are a game back at 6-3.
All county teams are scheduled to play four games this week because of a rainout prior to spring break.
Howard has perhaps the toughest schedule because three of its four games are on the road. The defending county champion Lions play host to Atholton tomorrow, then play at Centennial Tuesday, at Glenelg Wednesday and at River Hill Friday.
River Hill and Glenelg each have three home games this week: River Hill is home against Glenelg tomorrow, then visits Long Reach Tuesday. The Hawks play host to Oakland Mills Wednesday and Howard Friday.
Glenelg is at River Hill tomorrow, then is host to Hammond Tuesday, Howard Wednesday and Wilde Lake Friday.
Pub Date: 4/19/98
