Colonels’ Lanham To Play Soccer At Eastern Mennonite

Posted: May 12, 2016
By STAR STAFF REPORT

James Wood senior Abby Lanham signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her education and soccer career at NCAA Division III Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday in a signing ceremony at James Wood.

In Lanham’s case, the “education” part of her decision to go to EMU definitely needs to be stressed.

The defender was actually offered a scholarship to play for NCAA Division I Winthrop University as a result of Winthrop watching her play at its camps over the years.

But Lanham said she was told it would be difficult for her to both play soccer and pursue her desired major of nursing. That’s something she will be able to do at EMU, which is located in Harrisonburg and competes in the ODAC.

“Nursing is something that’s very important and rewarding to me,” said Lanham, who participated in a certified nursing assistant program as a junior at Dowell J. Howard and worked in a nursing home last summer.

Lanham — who will receive a partial athletic scholarship — said she’s also looking forward to taking a more active role with soccer.

Lanham tore her right ACL and meniscus in an indoor soccer game in December as a result of a slide tackle by an opponent, and the resulting surgery meant she could not participate for James Wood this season. (She has helped the team as a manager.)

As a junior defender, Lanham — a member of the varsity since she was a freshman and a captain since she was a sophomore — led the Northwestern District with 11 assists (adding four goals) to earn first team all-district and second team All-Conference 21 honors.

“[James Wood trainers] Jess Kotelnicki and Nikki Rhodes have helped me every day that I don’t have physical therapy,” Lanham said. “They are helping me rebuild my strength and confidence.”

Lanham said James Wood coach Jim Carden is going to help her get back into soccer shape once she’s cleared to return to action in mid-summer. In addition to Carden, Lanham said she’s also grateful to her other Winchester United coaches over the years — John Lynch, Neil Hammond and Chad Lesman.