Confidence In College Choice: DC Lady Hornets hoops' Medina to extend days at Elmhurst Univ.

Natally Medina agrees on May 8 to continue her basketball career at Elmhurst University in Illinois, as dad Carlos and mom Erika Medina watch. Photo by Rich Hilliard

DODD CITY -- Natally Medina believes having confidence is important for an athlete.

She displays it when playing basketball, whether driving to the basket or launching a 3-pointer.

It's how the Dodd City senior entered Elmhurst University on a college visit, after initiating contact with the school.

"I walked into there with confidence," said Medina.

"I took a tour and liked the comfort and vibe I found there," she said. "The coaches were happy and wanted players with positive attitudes."

Medina announced her decision to play as a shooting guard for the Western Chicago suberb school in Illinois on May 8, in a signing ceremony held in Dodd City's Hornet Gymnasium, with family, classmates, teammates, coaches and school administrators present.

"We're really excited for Natally to have this opportunity," said Michael Huxen, Dodd City athletic director and junior/high school principal. "We are here to honor her on a special day for her."

"Natally has been a dedicated player," said third-year Dodd City head girls' basketball coach Landon Dyer. "She works a lot on basketball year-round and plays all summer.

"She has a dangerous 3-point shot," said Dyer. "I think she can have an impact at the next level."

Said Medina: "I'll first have the mindset to improve and keep working during the offseason, don't stop and put in as much time as I did for high school."

Note: During high school, Medina, who also plays for Platinum Basketball, sandwiched second-team selections around an honorable mention in 23-1A during her three varsity seasons, as Dodd City extended its streaks in the girls' sport: now 12-consecutive undefeated district titles, 10-straight Region III-1A Tournament trips and 14-consecutive postseason appearances. She capped her Lady Hornets career by helping Dodd City in February reach its first girls' basketball regional final since 2021, before falling -- to eventual Class 1A State champion Newcastle.