Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, October 17, 1993                   TAG: 9310170122
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA                                LENGTH: Short

HOMECOMING QUEEN ALSO A PRETTY FAIR PLACE-KICKER

Cheryl Zimmermann, her football team's co-captain and place-kicker, had to be pulled out of the locker room to accept her tiara and roses during halftime ceremonies Friday night.

She also put six extra points through the goalposts without a miss in a 42-10 victory over Mount Vernon High School.

The 5-foot-6, 112-pound senior was told just before halftime that she had been selected by the school's students as homecoming queen. Her coach escorted her from the locker room to midfield for the ceremonies.

Resplendent in a royal blue jersey, her helmet hanging on one arm and her cleats digging in with each step, she accepted the crown and an awkward shoulder-pad hug from her suited date.

"Right now, she's trying to get into the Air Force Academy," said proud father Conrad Zimmermann. "Doing this in a man's world . . . I think it kind of fits - and boosts her chances."

He said she eventually would like to fly jet fighter planes.

And after the camera flashes, the cheers, and the traditional homecoming queen ride around the field in a Mustang convertible, Cheryl returned to the locker room - and a second half of football.