THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010579
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Athletes of the Week
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
If Merrick Michaels attended public school, she would be at Cox High, where there's a good chance she'd be a little fish in an ocean of field hockey talent.
But at Norfolk Academy, she is a big fish in the pond that is the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. There, Michaels has helped the Bulldogs earn a reputation as one of the top prep-school field hockey teams in the state. In fact, Norfolk Academy hosts a League of Independent Schools state semifinal this afternoon at 3:15.
Though only a sophomore, Michaels is a team leader for a Bulldogs squad that captured both the TCIS regular-season and tournament championships this fall. She finished the TCIS schedule as the Bulldogs' leading scorer and the No. 3 scorer in the league.
She also earned this week's female athlete of the week honors, as chosen by The Virginian-Pilot.
Through it all, she remains remarkably humble about her athletic talents.
``I thought about going to Cox, it's such an awesome field hockey program,'' said Michaels, who also plays lacrosse and swims for the Bulldogs. ``But it would be so hard. I don't know, I really don't think I'm good enough to play there.''
Norfolk Academy coach Mary Werkheiser, in her first year as varsity coach after two with the JV, disagrees.
``She has a knack for (field hockey),'' Werkheiser said. ``She comes from a very athletic family and she's been playing the position for I don't know how long - probably since she started playing in the seventh grade. She's one who always rises to the challenge. You ask her to jump 6 feet and she jumps 7.
``(Cox) is a great program, but I really think she could play there.''
We'll probably never know, however, as Michaels has long since made up her mind to stay at Academy.
While she loves lacrosse, a big reason for staying is swimming. Academy has had swimming for years, while the Beach District will be fielding teams for the first time this winter.
Last year, Michaels finished fifth in the state in the 50 free. She also swims the 100 backstroke and on a couple of relay teams.
``I really love swimming, but I love field hockey, too,'' she said. ``I love competition and this is a great team.
``I'm happy.''
Because the water's fine in the TCIS pond. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Merrick Michaels by CNB