Female Cadet Still Ill; Doctors Plan Tests

The Citadel made plans Wednesday to send its first female cadet to a hospital to try to learn what continued to make her ill three days after she was overcome by 100-degree heat.

Shannon Faulkner, who fought for 2-1/2 years to join the state military school’s corps of cadet, was admitted to the campus infirmary Monday after becoming ill while marching in the stifling weather. Four male cadets were also admitted, but the last of them was released Wednesday.

School spokesman Terry Leedom declined to discuss Faulkner’s condition, citing privacy rules. He confirmed she would be taken to a hospital Thursday for tests.

“Our goal right now is to get her well,” he said.

Her father, Ed, said the family had not heard from doctors, but he thought his daughter’s illness might be more than heat related.

“I think she’s worn out mentally from the court fight,” he said.

The Citadel had cited her physical condition in trying to keep her out. Leedom has said she was more than 20 pounds over U.S. army weight standards for her height.