Five Nation Ford athletes, including three boys’ lacrosse players, signed to play in college on Wednesday.
Lacrosse players Owen Ameo, Ben Walczak and Matthew Hurst signed, while Sierra Smith (track) and Isaiah Hauser (football) also signed for the Falcons.
Ameo will be heading to Roanoke College in Salem, Va., and has been with the Falcons lacrosse team the past three years at the varsity level. He is closing in on 100 career goals and has 95 so far in the past three years. He has 43 goals in 15 games this season to date.
A defensive player, Walczak has 219 groundballs in the past three seasons on varsity along with 76 takeaways. He will be heading to Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C.
Also, a defensive player, Hurst is going to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va. He has 46 groundballs and 34 takeaways as a defensive player in 15 games thus far this season. He also has two goals on offense.
Nation Ford head boys’ lacrosse coach Cory Turner said the three players have been instrumental in the Falcons success the past three seasons.
“All three are vital to our success that we have had,” Turner said. “All of them are extremely hard working. They are super competitive, which I like. They are like coaches on the field.”
Smith is heading to Appalachian State to run track. The defending 5A 100-meter state champion, Smith will be running short distances like the 100-meters and 200-meters, along with other relay events such as the 4×100 and 4×400.
“I am excited for someone who is a leader on our team,” said Mica McCoy, Nation Ford track sprint coach. “We are going to miss her.”
Hauser is going to North Carolina Wesleyan University to play football. The school is in Rocky Mount, N.C. Hauser is looking to move from defensive line, where he played for the Falcons, to running back.
At 5’7” 216 pounds, Hauser came to Nation Ford for one season from North Forsythe High in Winston-Salem, N.C.
“He is a no-nonsense guy,” said Nation Ford head football coach Michael Allen. “He is all about his business. I am excited to see him go there.”
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
