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MVNU Has Record Eight Fall Athletes Receive Academic Honors
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - Mount Vernon Nazarene University had a school-record eight student-athletes named to the NAIA and National Christian College Athletic Association All-America Scholar-Athlete Teams for their respective sports this fall.

Leading the way was the women's soccer team, which had four players selected - the highest total ever in a single season for any MVNU team. Seniors Kelly Evans and Krista Reynolds, along with juniors Cheryl Balogh and Lisa Hinman earned the honors for the Lady Cougars.

Evans, a midfielder from Sunbury, Ohio, recorded five goals and six assists while starting all 23 matches. The former Big Walnut High School standout has compiled a 3.512 grade point average as a Business Administration major.

Reynolds, a midfielder from Gahanna, Ohio, tallied one assist in 21 matches this season. The Gahanna-Lincoln High School product has posted a 3.541 grade point average as an Early Childhood Education major.

Balogh, a defender from Lima, Ohio, contributed one goal and three assists as she helped the team post six shutouts while starting all 23 matches. The former All-Ohioan at Elida High School leads the team with a 3.910 grade point average as an Exercise Studies/Sports Management double major.

Hinman, a midfielder/forward from Syracuse, New York, registered three goals and six assists as she started in all 23 matches in 2002. The former star at Faith Heritage High School has compiled a 3.524 grade point average as a Sports Management major.

Three members of the MVNU men's soccer team were also selected for both awards. Seniors Casey Swanson and Danny Lueking joined junior Dave Barry on both academic teams.

Swanson, a defender from Mount Vernon, Ohio, scored three goals and anchored the Cougars' defense that posted nine shutouts as he led the team with 2,082 minutes played. The former Mount Vernon High School standout has posted a team-best 3.849 grade point average as a Mathematics major.

Lueking, a midfielder from West Chester, Ohio, recorded two goals and five assists while starting all 23 matches. The former Bishop Fenwick High School star maintains a 3.598 grade point average as a Finance major.

Barry, a forward from Aurora, Ohio, tallied five goals and four assists as he played in all 23 matches with seven starts. The former Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy product carries a 3.627 grade point average as a Marketing/Finance double major.

The final fall athlete to earn both honors was Jessica Harding of the women's volleyball team. Harding, a junior outside hitter from New Philadelphia, Ohio, compiled 449 kills, 103 blocks, and 88 digs in 167 games this year. The former All-Ohioan at Garaway High School has posted a team-high 3.813 grade point average as an Integrated Math Education major.

All three MVNU fall teams posted winning seasons in 2002. The women's soccer team went 14-8-1 and finished fourth at the NCCAA National Tournament. The men's soccer team compiled a 15-8-0 overall mark and took third-place at the NCCAA National Tournament. The women's volleyball team finished with a 36-13 overall record and earned the program's first ever second-place finish at the NCCAA National Tournament.