THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995              TAG: 9508100514
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, S.C.                   LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

FAULKNER'S WEIGHT DOESN'T CARRY WEIGHT WITH COURT

A federal appeals court on Wednesday again refused to keep Shannon Faulkner from becoming the first woman cadet at The Citadel, this time turning back the school's claim that she weighs too much.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in Richmond, refused to stay its order admitting Faulkner to the corps. The Citadel asked to keep her out until arguments could be heard that she did not meet physical standards.

``We are really ecstatic. This . . . has really removed a major hurdle to Shannon getting in,'' said Faulkner's lawyer, Val Vojdik.

Earlier, the same court refused The Citadel's request for a stay so the Supreme Court could consider whether public single-sex education is constitutional. The Citadel has asked U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist to block her entrance until the court heard the case.

Faulkner is to become a cadet Saturday, breaking a 152-year sex barrier at the state military school where she has been taking classes but not drilling with the corps.

KEYWORDS: CITADEL by CNB