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NewsWorthington Christian Two-Sport Standout Signs at MVNUwritten by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director MOUNT
VERNON, Ohio - Allison Linak, a two-sport standout at Worthington
Christian High School, has signed a letter of intent to further
her education and continue her soccer and basketball career at
Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Linak, a native of Westerville, Ohio, recorded five goals and 13 assists as a center midfielder on the Worthington Christian soccer team this season. A two-time All-Central Buckeye Conference First Team selection and three-time All-District honoree (once on the First Team and twice on the Second Team), Linak holds the school records for assists in a match (3), assists in a season (16), and assists in a career (33). "The team and I are very excited to have Allison joining us next year,” said MVNU women’s soccer coach Jonathan Meade. "She will immediately make a difference for us in the midfield. She has very good vision and does a great job combining with other players. She also has the ability to create with the dribble. She is a competitor, she wants the ball, and she wants to make good things happen. Playing against the best competition will only push her to meet that challenge.” "Allison also fits the mission of MVNU very well,” Meade added. "She is an excellent student and cares deeply about her relationship with Christ and sharing that with others. She is going to do good things not only for our soccer program, but also for the institution as a whole.” On the basketball court, Linak has excelled as well. As a junior, she averaged 12.8 points and 4.6 steals per game. She was selected to the Mid-Buckeye Conference First Team, the All-District Second Team, and the All-Ohio Honorable Mention Team. She holds the Worthington Christian records for three-pointers made in a game (7), three-pointers made in a season (70), and three-pointers made in a career (176 so far). "I am very pleased that Allison has made the decision to join our team next year,” said MVNU women’s basketball coach Steve Gregory. "She is a very gifted athlete in both soccer and basketball. She will come in and compete for a starting guard spot next year. She is a very strong perimeter shooter and a leader on the floor.” "We are not only getting a talented player in Allison, but a tremendous student as well,” Gregory added. "I am equally impressed with her spiritual maturity, and I believe that she will make a deep and lasting impression on our team.” In addition to her accomplishments on the soccer field and the basketball court, Linak has also been a standout in the classroom. She is a member of National Honor Society and was the top student in the junior class. "When I first stepped onto the MVNU campus, I knew that God wanted me there,” said Linak of her college choice. "Meeting the coaches just reaffirmed what I was already feeling. God really led me there and opened up doors at MVNU while closing doors at other schools. I am excited about being spiritually, academically, and physically challenged there.” The MVNU women’s soccer team finished the 2002 season with a 14-8-1 overall record as the Lady Cougars tied the school record for most wins in a season. The team also finished third in the highly-competitive American Mideast Conference South Division and fourth at the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament. The MVNU women’s basketball team is currently 4-5 overall with a roster that consists of eight freshmen and sophomores and only five juniors and seniors. The Lady Cougars will return to action on Saturday, December 14, when the team travels to the University of Rio Grande for a 6:00 p.m. contest.
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