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Bethany Seiffert	Cheryl Balogh

Kristen Votapek

Bethany Seiffert, a senior midfielder from Lewis Center, Ohio, was named to the NCCAA All-American First Team after earning NCCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors as a junior. The former Olentangy High School standout posted seven goals and eight assists for the Lady Cougars in 2002.

"I am really excited for Bethany to receive this honor," said MVNU women's soccer coach Jonathan Meade. "She has worked so hard and has constantly pushed and given more when I did not think anyone could give more. She has been a tenacious player and is very deserving of being an All-American."

"Bethany always puts forth great effort and it does not stop on the field," Meade added. "She has been an excellent student and most importantly has exemplified Christ in all she does. I am very proud of Bethany, and I think this is a great way to end her stellar career."

Cheryl Balogh, a junior defender from Lima, Ohio, joined Seiffert on the NCCAA All-American First Team. The former All-Ohioan at Elida High School recorded one goal and three assists while anchoring the MVNU defense that posted six shutouts.

"I am so proud of Cheryl," said Meade. "She has worked diligently to fine tune her game each year, and this All-American honor confirms her high level of play on the field. She has been a leader for our program ever since her freshman season, and her maturity with her teammates, schoolwork, and spiritual life also makes her a great choice for the All-American honor."

Seiffert, Balogh, and the other members of the NCCAA All-American First Team will be honored along with NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA All-Americans at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas All-American luncheon on January 18, 2003, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kristen Votapek, a freshman forward from Amelia, Ohio, was also named to the NCCAA All-American Honorable Mention Team. The former All-Ohioan at Amelia High School set school records with 26 goals and 61 points in 23 matches. Votapek also recorded nine assists and set another school record by scoring in nine straight matches.

"It was nice to see Kristen receive honorable mention status on the All-American list," said Meade. "She is a very good player. She is only a freshman, and I know that this honor will only push her to be even better in the future."

The Lady Cougars finished the season with a 14-8-1 overall record as they tied the school record for most wins in a season. MVNU also finished third in the highly-competitive American Mideast Conference South Division and fourth at the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament.