THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060253
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 32 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY REA FARMER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Family. Friends. Soccer.
For senior striker Jim Hickling, the three go hand-in-hand. The Virginia Beach native grew up playing soccer at home. After three years at Kempsville High, he joined the Virginia Wesleyan program and quickly raced to the fore.
Hickling began playing soccer with his brother at a young age.
``When I was about 4 years old, I started playing with my brother's 5-year-old team,'' Hickling said. ``I've played ever since. My family kept me in it. I enjoyed it myself, but my family was always there to support me and keep me in it.''
To Hickling, the choice to go to Virginia Wesleyan was easy to make.
``It was close to home, about four miles away,'' Hickling said of factors in his decision. ``And soccer. To get an education. All at one time.''
Further, he was surrounded by players he had competed with and against throughout his high school and Beach F.C. careers. Eleven Hampton Roads area players are on the Marlins squad, including seven from Virginia Beach. All receive playing time except Danny McVey, a freshman from Tallwood who was The Virginian-Pilot player of the year last spring. He is out with a season-ending injury. Tommy Hron and Brady Hussey of Kempsville, Larry Romaine of Green Run, Steve O'Mara and Sverrir Audunsson of Bayside and Nate Hatcher of Norfolk Christian are other Virginia Beach residents who are on the team.
Head coach Sonny Travis works to keep local talent on the team. His efforts have been rewarded. Virginia Wesleyan had a 9-0-1 record and a No. 9 national ranking in Division III through Oct. 4. Last season, the Marlins recorded a 20-2-1 mark and finished second in the South Region. They reached the NCAA Division III round of 16 before they were eliminated in a 1-0 double overtime game.
Hickling was a major factor in the team's 1994-95 success, netting a school-record 25 goals in one season. So far this season he has four goals and three assists and is on track to set more school marks.
``He's chasing the all-time school record for goals,'' Travis said. ``We're going to rely heavily on Jimmy down the stretch.''
The two-year co-captain is used to the pressure of being expected to step up in crucial situations. While he is trying to keep the record potential in perspective, he admits it does enter his thoughts.
``Personally, I obviously want to win every game and be a part of that,'' Hickling said. ``And there's records on the line. That's not what I'm totally about, but underlying it's there.''
After the excitement of this season ends, Hickling could return to a family trade.
``My brother's a marshal,'' Hickling said. ``He might help me get started there. Maybe a police officer or a teacher. That's nothing definite.''
What is definite, at least for now, is soccer. And the drive to win it all.
``I think we can win the whole thing,'' Hickling said. ``By using teamwork, everybody working their best and taking advantage of the chances we have.''
So far, Hickling has been a master at each of these components. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Co-captain Jim Hickling, left, with other Virginia Wesleyan soccer
players, Che Clark, Nate Hatcher and Ryan Crooks. Last year,
Hickling netted a record 25 goals.
Head coach Sonny Travis says the team will rely heavily on Hickling
``down the stretch.''
by CNB