After signing to play football for Virginia this season, 1999 SuperPrep All-American Hikee Johnson failed to receive approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Now he is weighing other options for this season, including Maryland, West Virginia and Fork Union Military Academy.
Johnson's high school coach, Mike Pettine of North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pa., said the 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back likely will decide between his three choices later this week. Pettine said Johnson has already visited West Virginia and Maryland.
If Johnson chooses to prep at Fork Union, he will follow through on his original commitment to Virginia, Pettine said.
Johnson was rated as the nation's 14th-best skill athlete by SuperPrep.
Breaking the Buckeyes
The Cavalier field hockey team can thank its freshmen for its 2-0 victory over Ohio State Monday in St. Louis.
Freshman goalie Emily White, in her first start and after playing less than six minutes of the total 70 in the team's season-opening loss to Penn State, guided the team to its first win of the season. White, a Westminster, Md., native, made six saves and handed the Buckeyes their first shutout of the season.
After 45 scoreless minutes, Virginia sophomore Katie Slocum capitalized on a pass from teammate Jessica Coleman, putting the Cavaliers (1-1) ahead permanently. Twelve minutes later, back Kristy Sott intercepted a ball at midfield and spearheaded a Cavalier attack that ended with an assist from Lorraine Vizzuso to freshman Katie Jo Gerfen for Gerfen's first collegiate goal.
Men's soccer is top dog
The Virginia men's soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the Soccer America poll released yesterday. The Cavaliers (2-0) were last ranked first in the nation in November, 1996.
The Cavs are third in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.