College-bound LHS athletes head for the library
By Peter Brewington
On a busy Monday, eight Liberty High seniors were let out of class for a visit to the library. They weren't there to check out books, but to sit in front of a table with family and friends and announce their college decisions in a press conference format.
A look at the group, with their sport and college choices listed:
MARK SIMPSON
Football
Concord University
Thanks in part to Liberty football coach Tommy Buzzo, who attended Concord, Mark Simpson is headed to the Athens, W.Va., college to play football.
The former Culpeper High running back is not eligible to play, or receive a scholarship his freshman year but has been promised one if he gets his grades up.
Buzzo explained that Simpson must pay his own way his first year. However, if and when Simpson becomes eligible, the NCAA Division II school will apparently reward him with an athletic scholarship. “They'll pay his next four years.,” said Buzzo. “His first year will be like a redshirt year.”
Concord has become an LHS destination school: Four former LHS players — Doug Heath, Jeff Washington, Bryan Roof, Bobby Thompson — populated Concord's roster last year.
Simpson looks back at his decision to transfer to LHS as a plus. Beating Fauquier in the Bird Bowl and being named a game MVP was the highlight of his senior year, he said. “I've never seen so many fans in the stands for a game. It was good to give them a loss,” said Simpson.
Asked what a future career for him could be, Simpson replied: “Coach. I could be a gym teacher and run little kids around.”
But first he has to focus on studying. “With my family behind me, I know I can do it,” said Simpson, who sat with his mother Melissa in the LHS library surrounded by books.
“I'm proud of Mark,” said his mother, who noted she's seeing a change in his study habits. “The other day he ran his brother and sister up the stairs so he could study.”
RACHEL COAXUM
Track
Marshall University
A smile is one of Rachel Coaxum's best attributes.
These days Marshall University is smiling, too, with Coaxum's decision to bring her lean frame and speedy legs to the West Virginia college.
Marshall coaches made it worth Coaxum's while, offering a 70% partial athletic scholarship, according to LHS coach Dan Thompson. The versatile hurdler and triple jumper was recruited by other schools, mentioning Florida A&M, Central Florida, Temple and Roanoke. Coaxum plans to major in business.
Her mom, Connie Morton, was at Rachel's ceremony, beaming. You can see where Rachel got her smile.
“I'm proud of all the kids today,” said Morton of the eight-member Eagle athletic contingent.
Good news for Liberty: Morton said she has four more kids coming up.
LINDSEY NOE
Track
Radford University
Lindsey Noe can only get better when she gets to college.
That's what Radford University is hoping from a star senior that just won the Cedar Run District meet in the pole vault with a personal best height of 10-feet,
“She has amazing potential. Getting full-time coaching will really help her a lot,” said LHS coach Dan Thompson.
Noe, who only began vaulting in the indoor season, is shooting for a height of 10-6 this year, which she hopes to hit at the region meet Saturday at the University of Virginia. She also competes in the 300-meter hurdles.
MILES COSTELLO
Track
Radford University
The Great White North.
That's where Miles Costello wants to end up one day...
See the Friday print edition of the Fauquier Weekend for the complete story.