"Lady Cougars Land Another Hoops Transfer"

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

   The Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's basketball team has landed another transfer as the Lady Cougars work on rounding out their roster for the 2002-2003 season.

   Kristin Lawson, a 5-foot-7 guard from Galion, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to attend MVNC after playing for two seasons at Southeastern Illinois College, a junior college in Harrisburg, Illinois. Lawson, who was an All-Ohio Honorable Mention selection after averaging 15.0 points and 3.9 steals per game as a senior at Northmor High School, finished her high school career as Northmor's all-time leading scorer with 1,074 points. The three-time Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference First Team selection also set the school's career steals record.

   "I expect Kristin to come in and compete for playing time at the point and shooting guard positions," said MVNC head coach Steve Gregory of Lawson, who has two years of eligibility remaining. "She will offer up a little more size than we are used to at both positions which is a positive."

   "Kristin had a very nice high school career but was plagued by injuries as a sophomore at Southeastern," Gregory added. "I look forward to getting her in a Cougar uniform. She will be a strong representative of MVNC and its beliefs. She has a pleasant personality and will fit in great with our current group of girls."

   Lawson, who was All-State in track as a junior and an MOAC Second Team selection in volleyball as a senior, was also involved in student council throughout her high school career. She was inducted into National Honor Society as a senior and was a member of Buckeye Girls State.

   "There are several reasons why I have chosen to attend MVNC," said Lawson, who plans to major in secondary education. "I like the Christian atmosphere. The basketball team is a great group of girls with a great coach. I will also be closer to home now."

   MVNC finished the 2001-2002 season with an 8-18 overall record with a roster that featured just one senior and one junior starter after graduating the team's entire frontline the year before. In the two previous seasons, the Lady Cougars eclipsed the 20-win mark both times and won one National Christian College Athletic Association national title.