State success: Cox HS field hockey’s Lauren Sanford matches mom
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In November, the Frank W. Cox High School field hockey team completed their season, taking home their fifth consecutive state title and 24th overall. Under the leadership of Coach Taylor Rountree and captains Emerson Miller, Elyse Unger, Addison Froelich and Lauren Sanford, the girls finished with a 10-0 win-loss ratio in the region and 17-4 overall.
For the season, the team adopted the motto of “heart.” When they began summer training, the girls struggled to find their rhythm, as many of the girls were younger freshman and sophomores. However, the girls worked hard to bond, with seniors going the extra mile to make sure everyone was included and knew what to do. As the team continued working forward, they gained the confidence and fluidity they needed to take on the tough competitors they would face. The players knew that they were working not only for themselves, but also for their teammates.
For Lauren Sanford, something else besides her teammates pushed her forward. Her mother, Margaret Sanford, was in her shoes almost 30 years earlier. Her mother made sure to attend every one of Lauren’s games, even bringing her laptop with her to get work done while she supported her daughter. She prides herself in always being her daughter’s biggest cheerleader.
In the Sanford family, field hockey is a tradition, and they have kept a journal containing all Cox field hockey publications since Margaret began playing. After the championship game, Lauren and Margaret looked back on their collection of articles and realized something. By taking home the state title in 2022, they both were on a Cox team when they won their fifth state championship in a row.
Although Lauren’s mother never pushed her towards field hockey, Lauren naturally gravitated towards the sport. She began playing in middle school as just a hobby. However, when the time came to advance to high school, she had fallen in love with the game and made it her priority. “Because of my mom playing, when I had the choice between gymnastics and field hockey, I knew I wanted to take it to the next level just like her,” said Lauren.
Margaret played on the Cox team all through high school, then continued on to play at Radford University. Lauren finished high school after playing three years of varsity field hockey and taking home three state champion rings. She and her mother both recognize the tremendous impact Lauren’s experiences on the team have had on her as an individual. Margaret noted her increased confidence and her capabilities as a leader. Lauren recognized that as a senior she needed to step up and lead her team. “As an upperclassman, it was time for me to stop following in others footsteps. Now, it is time for me to create my own.”
The girls started the season with something to prove, and they are all thrilled with their accomplishments. Lauren is proud of her team, and although she is sad her high school career is over, she is excited about the opportunity to continue playing at the collegiate level at Bucknell University. Margaret said, “It is a joy for me as a mother to watch her play and love the game as much as I did.”
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