‘A generational talent’: Dual sport star Paige Cornelius continues to awe at New Albany
Thursday, August 31, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
New Albany’s Paige Cornelius works against Olentangy Berlin on Aug. 29. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Paige Cornelius sat down on Aug. 27 to write out her schedule for the week. It’s a much-needed few minutes of discipline the senior two-sport athlete has done during each of her four years at New Albany..
This time, Cornelius, a standout in tennis and field hockey, was feeling a little sore after the previous day’s events.
She won both of her tennis matches, defeating Cincinnati Sycamore’s Caitlin Meyer 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 and North Canton Hoover’s Lindsey Crawford 6-0, 6-0 on her home court.
Then, she raced down to the stadium and scored six goals to help the field hockey team defeat Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame 8-3 in a non-league game.
“I was definitely tired, for sure,” Cornelius said. “Obviously, it was super rewarding. There is nothing I’d rather spend my time doing. So, it ended up being a great day. But I was definitely sore on (Aug. 28).”
New Albany field hockey coach Marissa Walden and tennis coach Marc Thomas work together to try to minimize the times Cornelius has to compete for both teams on the same day. Sometimes, it’s hard to avoid.
So, how does Cornelius handle it?
“Planning is difficult and I appreciate what (my coaches do) because they always account for me,” she said. “I usually sit down on Sunday nights and write everything out and try to follow that as closely as possible.”
It takes a special kind of athlete to be able to compete in multiple sports in the same season, let alone excel at both of them. It’s not for everybody.
“She is a player unlike any player I’ve coached and I’ve been doing this almost 20 years now,” Thomas said. “She is an unbelievable athlete – unbelievably talented in tennis and in field hockey. Her schedule is a lot, being in season with two varsity sports. She’s not just participating in these sports, but she’s a huge part of both teams.”
‘She thrives on it’
Cornelius grew up playing soccer and didn’t get into field hockey until she was in middle school. She was inspired by her older sister, Regan Cornelius, who ran cross country and played field hockey in the same season at Columbus Academy before graduating in 2021. Regan Cornelius, who also ran track in the spring with the Vikings, now plays field hockey at Northwestern.
“Soccer was definitely the sport that was the hardest to make two sports work,” she said. “I knew that I always wanted to play two sports. I’ve been playing tennis since I was 3 and half (years old), so it’s not something that I could see myself not wanting to give up. Field hockey was something I had grown into liking because my older sister played. She shared her experience and love for the sport, so I got into it.”
New Albany senior Paige Cornelius returns a shot during an Eagles practice on Aug. 29 at New Albany. Photo: Michael Rich
Paige Cornelius, a midfielder, came into this season as New Albany’s all-time leader in goals, assists and points and holds the program record with 31 goals last season, adding 14 assists helping the Eagles to their fourth consecutive regional final.
She came into the season needing 35 goals to reach 100 career. She’s already almost halfway there with 17 goals to lead New Albany, which is 4-0 after wins over Olentangy Berlin (11-0 on Aug. 29) and Worthington Kilbourne (6-0 on Aug. 30) and 2-0 in COFHL-East play.
Cornelius, along with teammate senior midfielder Olivia Boyle, were included on the National Field Hockey Coaches’ Association Watch List. The list included 304, but only three from Ohio, including Thomas Worthington’s Emmy Wellejus.
“I think Paige is a generational talent,” Weldon said. “She’s done (both sports) for four years. Not a lot of kids can do it. She definitely possesses a unique talent. I think it also helps that she has a supportive family. Some kids it would become overwhelming, but I think it makes her happy. She thrives on it.”
Regan’s background is a source of inspiration for Paige.
“She’s always been the hardest worker that I know and I’ve always looked up to her,” Paige said. “It really showed in high school. She went from running a 5K to competing in a game and it was just insane. I would follow her along and watch her do all of it. Field hockey-wise, she’s always been someone I looked up to. Her doing cross country kind of made me realize that I could do the same with tennis.”
A cherished relationship
Cornelius has appeared in back-to-back state tennis tournaments, playing doubles with another standout for the Eagles, Richardlyne Francois.
Last year the duo were state runner-up after going 0-1 at state as sophomores.
Even though Cornelius is playing field hockey at the next level, that didn’t stop her from putting in some extra work over the summer. Her goal is to win a state title with Francois.
“I’ve been much more field hockey-focused (in the past),” Cornelius said. “But after the success that Richie and I had last year, I decided I wanted to put more attention to it to see results this year.
“I played in the offseason more than I ever have. I was playing four times a week whereas before it was only once. I played against higher-level (opponents) and trained with boys. That’s not something that I had really done in the past. I feel like my shot and my confidence and my game has really grown.”
It was Francois that had the biggest impact on Cornelius’ game.
New Albany’s Paige Cornelius attacks during a field hockey match against Olentangy Berlin on Aug. 29. Photo by John Hulkenberg
Cornelius is already 4-0 this season after her performance on Aug. 27, helping New Albany to a 5-2 record overall and 3-0 in OCC-Ohio Division play as the Eagles chase their 17th league championship in the last 18 years.
“Training with Richie helps a lot because we’re so close,” she said. “She’s a great player, so she pushes me all the time. She is good in the sense that if I have a question or I’m not hitting a shot right, I can ask her to help me and she’ll give me advice. Our relationship is definitely one that I cherish.”
‘She’s more than just an athlete’
But special doesn’t even begin to describe Cornelius. Other-worldly might be more accurate.
“She’s more than just an athlete. She’s more than just a tennis player. She’s more than just a field hockey player. Her character is something that sets her apart in my book,” Thomas said. “Paige does whatever she can to help our team and help our program be successful. What’s required of her mentally to continue to participate in both sports at the exact same times at this high of a level is rare. Honestly, it’s not something that we would allow every player to do.”
Her days are a little easier with a senior schedule.
“I’m actually super lucky this year because I have a double opt-out at the end of my school day. So, I’m only taking five classes,” she said. “I get home at around 12:45 and pretty much immediately do my homework, just so I have that out of the way. I’m usually at the courts around 3:30 and train (or play) until 5. Then, I’ll either have a game at 7 or practice sometime in the evening. Sometimes, I can squeeze in dinner in the middle or sometimes I have to wait until after a game. It all just kind of works out.”
Her future as an athlete is in field hockey with Harvard, but she doesn’t plan on putting the tennis racquet away completely. But her days as a dual sport athlete in the same season are winding down. Tomorrow, however, is still full of possibility.
She plans to pursue a law degree in the long term. Meanwhile, she plans to major in government with a minor in either psychology or English at Harvard.
“I hope to play some tennis on the side – I can’t see myself giving that up completely,” Cornelius said. “I’m super excited for Harvard because the competition level is so high and the group of girls are super supportive there. I’ve already had people reach out to me and I’ve met girls on the visit. So yeah, I’m super excited.”