BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor A Riverview High School 2012 graduate, in her freshman year at Hampton University, was named the Most Outstanding Player for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) softball championship. The championship game was played at May 9-11, 2013 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach.

Taylor McCoy (#7, average .404) of Riverview is a pitcher and first baseman. The Hampton Pirates (16-2, 34-24) defeated the Norfolk State Spartans 7-3 to advance to the Gainesville Regional NCAA Division I Softball Championship, May 17-19 against the University of Florida (52-7). This is Hampton’s second appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament. The first was in 1996. Hampton has won 15 of its last 18 games, while the University of Florida (#2) has won 12 of its last 14 games.

As a high schooler, McCoy, who celebrated her 19th birthday on Wednesday, earned several titles. As a freshman at Riverview High, she led the team to a 6A title. She was also won All-County, All-Western Conference and All-Conference honors while in high school. In addition to be named the Most Outstanding Performer for the MEAC, she also made the All-Tournament Team for MEAC. She also earned Rookie of the Week honors this season. Her coach, Trena Peel, in her third year, was named Most Outstanding Coach of the MEAC.

Taylor (5’11”) is the daughter of police officers Anthony McCoy (St. Petersburg), and Connie McCoy (TPD). Her grandparents are Izell and Hazel Denson, Tampa.