THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080597
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
Cox's Kim Miller, the third-leading goal scorer in national high school history, announced Tuesday that she would accept a scholarship to play field hockey at Old Dominion.
In doing so, Miller, a member of the Under-21 national team, reneged on a verbal commitment she made several months ago to James Madison coach Christy Morgan, coach of the U-21 team.
North Carolina, Massachusetts and Connecticut were the other finalists for Miller's services.
``I wanted so much to make a good decision and there was just so much going on that made it difficult,'' said Miller, 17. ``Coaches would say what I wanted to hear. That works on most teenagers, but I'm not a normal teenager.
``I've got problems here and I wanted to get away. But I put that aside and tried to put things in perspective.''
Miller's dream of making the U.S. Olympic team also played a role in her choice. ODU coach Beth Anders is a former Olympian and U.S. team coach.
``My best chance of making my dream is with (Anders), no doubt,'' Miller said. ``I need the kind of discipline I'll get from her. I've always needed someone to push me.''
Anders was unavailable for comment Tuesday.
Miller help guide Cox to a national-record seventh straight state title last fall with a state-record 63 goals. Her 160 goals in four years are also a state record, and both totals are ranked third nationally. Miller also scored 10 goals in a game as a senior - the second-highest single-game total in national history.
``She was the most prolific scorer in the country this year,'' Cox coach Nancy Fowlkes said. ``She is strong, fast, quick and knows how to score. It would be hard to find her match at forward this year.''
Miller is one of six Cox seniors who have signed to play field hockey next fall. Catherine McCallum and Meredith Benson have accepted partial scholarships to William and Mary, Kim Iman will play for Longwood and Jessica Barney will be at Wake Forest. Robin Dwyer became the third Falcon in four years to accept an Ivy League academic scholarship and will play at Princeton. ILLUSTRATION: Kim Miller's 63 goals last season and 160 for her career are
state records and rank third nationally. She had 10 goals in a game
last fall
by CNB