Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SMS Student-Athletes Earn National Field Hockey Honors

Tappahannock, VA (April 11, 2001) - The National Field Hockey Coaches' Association has named three seniors at St. Margaret's School to the Field Hockey High School All-Academics Team. The students' selection reflects the emphasis that SMS places on balancing sports and studies, said Head Coach Kate Coghlan.

The National Field Hockey Coaches' Association has named St. Margaret's seniors Claire Stephenson of Tappahannock and Carol Combs of North Carolina to the Field Hockey High School All-Academics Team. Not pictured: Elizabeth LeBlanc.

"Our varsity athletes quickly learn that success in the classroom supports success on the field," said Coghlan, who also teaches study skills. "When they fulfill their academic obligations on time and to the best of their ability, girls can give their full attention to sports during practices and games."

The honorees include forward Claire Stephenson of Tappahannock, daughter of Ned and Susan Stephenson, midfielder Carol Combs of Hamptonville, NC, and forward Elizabeth LeBlanc of Dallas, TX. All three were varsity starters in the 2000 season, and have earned grade point averages of at least 3.8 on a 4-point scale. Coghlan noted that the team's other seniors came very close to earning this recognition as well.

Combs will attend Wake Forest University next fall. Stephenson and LeBlanc currently are keeping their college options open. They thus far have gained admission to Colby College, James Madison University, Rice University, the University of Virginia and Wake Forest University, and Clemson University, respectively.

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