"Cougars Sign Mount Vernon Two-Sport Standout"

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

   The Mount Vernon Nazarene College men's basketball and baseball teams recently signed their first recruit for next year as the Cougars landed local two-sport standout Andrew Thompson.

   Thompson, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, was selected as the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year in both basketball and baseball as a junior at Mount Vernon High School. Entering the postseason in basketball this year, Thompson is averaging 22.6 points per game while making 58 three-pointers. He was an Honorable Mention All-Ohioan last season, and he has now eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in his career.

   "We did not have to go very far to find a great player and a great person," said MVNC head basketball coach Scott Flemming. "Andrew is another in the line of standout players from Mount Vernon High School. I am confident that he will make a positive impact on our school and our basketball program. He is able to play either guard position and can score from the perimeter as well as take the ball to the basket."

   "Andrew's Christian faith is a high priority to him," Flemming added. "He will not only be able to grow personally, but he will have a profound spiritual impact on his teammates and fellow students. It will be a plus for the fans of Mount Vernon to watch Andrew play for another four years."

   In addition to playing basketball and baseball, Thompson has been active on Student Council all four years. He is a two-year member of National Honor Society and is in his second year as the captain of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

   "I chose MVNC primarily for the opportunity of going to a Christian institution and still be able to play sports at a very competitive level," said Thompson of his college choice. "Sports are a bonus, but being able to go to a school that puts the emphasis on Christ is the biggest reason for me. The support from my hometown adds a lot as well."

   MVNC is currently 20-11 this season, which marks the fifth time in the past six years that the Cougars have reached the 20-win mark. The team is tentatively slated to host Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College on Saturday in the National Christian College Athletic Association East Region championship game with the game time to be announced.