Her great grandfather, Oscar, was in the Army during World War I, and Gulden’s other grandfather, Michael Ferrick (Navy), two uncles, Michael Ferrick, Jr. (Army) and Mike Gulden (Coast Guard Reserve), and her brother Daniel (Navy), did stints in the service. “I am very proud of my family that they all took their duty so seriously,” Gulden explains. “I feel it’s part of my duty to carry on the family tradition.”
Photo by Steve Buchanan Photography
Gulden plans to join the Army after she graduates from East Carolina University. She’ll attend the school on an Army ROTC scholarship and a lacrosse scholarship. Gulden, a West River resident, will major in criminal justice, and is eyeing a career in law enforcement.
TOWNE ATHLETE
Erin Gulden
Southern High School Lacrosse, Basketball, Soccer
S 50
By Tom Worgo
outhern High senior Erin Gulden loves to share the picture of her grandfather Marlin Gulden and his five brothers. They all served in the military during the Korean War and World War II. But that’s only part of her family’s commitment to serving in the military.
What’s Up? Annapolis | July 2021 | whatsupmag.com
She carried a 3.9 grade-point average and took seven advanced-placement classes while also starting in both basketball and soccer. “I’m interested in cyber security, homeland security, or serving as an Army Police Officer,” she says. “I really like homeland security and would even like to be an investigations officer. I think the benefits of serving are amazing. That will help me grow up and teach me a lot of skills that I probably won’t learn anywhere else. It will also me help with my career path.” But until then, she will focus on her academics and lacrosse at East Carolina. West Point, UConn, and Delaware also recruited Gulden, a midfielder. “I love the coach (Amanda Moore) and the team,”
“SHE CAN HAVE A REALLY POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR PROGRAM. I THINK HER BEST ASSET IS HER DETERMI NATION, WHETHER THAT’S GET TING TO THE CAGE OR WINNING A GROUND BALL. YOU SEE THAT FIRE FROM HER ON THE FIELD.” Gulden says of East Carolina. “She is so dynamic with the game. She is someone I can really connect with her and learn a lot.” Moore is a Bel Air native, so she loves to bring in recruits from the metropolitan area. And she’s expects a lot from the 5-foot-6 Gulden. “Since we have a young program, she is someone that could be very high in our record books,” says Moore, a fifth-year coach. “She can have a really positive impact on our program. I think her best asset is her determination, whether that’s getting to the cage or winning a ground ball. You see that fire from her on the field.” Moore first saw Gulden playing for one of the state top club teams, Chesapeake Club Lacrosse. The 17-yearold played five seasons for Chesapeake, which competes in the summer and fall and travels to tournaments as far away as Florida. “I don’t know where I would be if I didn’t play for that club,” Gulden says. “Julie Norton
