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Published: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 / Updated: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 11:57 AM

Lax players from Fort Mill, Nation Ford get college scholarships

FORT MILL -- 

Three Fort Mill High girls’ lacrosse players committed Wednesday to play lacrosse in college after their senior seasons.

Two of those players – Rosalie Hawkins and Hadley Mabry – attend Fort Mill. The third player – Jessica Walters – goes to Nation Ford.

Because the Falcons didn’t have a team last year, Nation Ford students played with their rivals as part of Fort Mill’s squad. All three were part of the state champion lacrosse squad that won the title in April.

This coming spring, Walters will be a part of Nation Ford’s inaugural Lady Falcons team and should start in goal. Walters, 17, the daughter of Greg and Linda Walters, chose Converse College over Presbyterian and Millsaps College in Mississippi.

Walters, who also played basketball for Nation Ford, first picked up a lacrosse stick just eight months ago. Now that she’s going to compete on the next level Walters said she feels like she found just the right school.

“I really liked the coach and the campus,” Walters said. “I felt at home there.”

Walters said she got into playing lacrosse because “all her friends were doing it.” She also said she looks forward to being a part of the first girls’ team at Nation Ford.

“It will be different being with a new team,” she said.

She plans to major in business.

Hawkins and Mabry, both 17, will attend Winthrop.

Hawkins, who plays goalie for the Lady Jackets, had six key saves during last year’s state final match against JL Mann, as Fort Mill won in overtime 12-11.

Hawkins, the daughter of Ken and Danielle Hawkins, said she likes being in goal.

“I like being a leader on the field and being able to direct traffic,” she said.

Hawkins said she looked at several schools, including Converse College, Lake Erie College and Lees-McRae College, but choose Winthrop due to its Division I status and its proximity to home.

“I also had faith they were going to be a really good team,” she said.

Hawkins has been playing varsity lacrosse for the past three seasons for Fort Mill. She plans to be a pre-med major.

Mabry, who plays midfield and defense, has been playing the sport since she was in seventh grade for Fort Mill and will be entering her fifth season on the varsity level for the Lady Jackets.

Mabry, the daughter of Chris and Lori Ameo, was also looking at Belmont-Abbey College and Queens University.

“I liked Winthrop because it was really pretty and it’s good that it is close to home,” she said. “I really liked the coaches.”

Mabry said she is undecided on her major but is leaning toward exercise science.