Emily Flora | SWoCo

Taylor Woodrum announced that he will be playing soccer at John Hopkins this fall. Woodrum is a senior at Cave Spring High School.

Taylor Woodrum, a senior at Cave Spring High School announced on Monday, June 1, that he will be playing soccer at Johns Hopkins University this fall.

"Basically it was the perfect scenario, I could play soccer and get a good education," Woodrum said.

His other choices were Virginia Tech and N.C. State. Woodrum plans to study civil engineering while playing soccer. He plays center back and left defensive.

"It's going to be fun just getting out on my own and experiencing the college aspect of life," he said. "The team reminds me of kids I know here, so it should be easy to get to know them."

Two of Woodrum's coaches were also at the ceremony, Graham MacLean, coach of the Roanoke Star, and Matthew Neale, soccer coach at Cave Spring High School.

"Not only is he a great player -- he's a great role model," MacLean said. "At the Roanoke Star we have a lot of great players and he's right up there with them."

His school coach, Neale, has been coaching him for the last four years and said, "We've had, and the Star, a lot of success this year, coming second in districts. Taylor was captain and was a huge part of that. He's been a general for me on the field."

Woodrum's parents, Alan and Beth Woodrum, were also present and very proud of Woodrum's accomplishments.

"He's been blessed with not only working hard but also having a lot of great coaches at the Roanoke Star and at school," his father said. "We're very proud."

"God has blessed him with a lot of gifts and talents and we are very proud of the man he's become on and off the soccer field," his mom said.