News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's basketball team has signed four junior varsity recruits for the 2003-2004 season with the addition of Trent Fannin, Brady West, Aaron Wilson, and Jaren Coldren, who have all committed to further their education and continue their basketball careers with the Cougars.

Fannin, a 6-foot-1 shooting guard from Bucyrus, Ohio, averaged 8.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game as a senior at Bucyrus High School. He shot 53 percent from the field, 61 percent from the free throw line, and 35 percent from three-point land. He also tied the school record for most three-pointers made in a game with seven, and he was only five three-pointers away from tying the single-season school record. For his efforts, Fannin was named to the North Central Conference Second Team following his senior season.

"We are happy to have Trent sign with us," said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "In some ways, he has been a part of the MVNU family for a long time. He has grown up coming to our summer camps as well as other activities for high school students. I have seen him grow as a player over that time."

"Trent is a very good perimeter shooter and has good instincts on the court," Flemming added. "He is also an outstanding young man. He is a person of strong faith, and I am sure that he will be a leader on our campus."

In addition to playing basketball, Fannin has also been a state qualifier as a junior and senior in DECA, a marketing competition. As a junior, he placed eleventh in the state.

"There were several reasons why I decided to attend MVNU," said Fannin, who plans to major in Communication and Business Marketing. "One main reason, though, is because the school has such a great Christian and friendly atmosphere to it. Being able to learn from professors who you know really care about you and your future is also important."

"Playing basketball is also a big reason for my college choice," Fannin added. "I feel that anything you do you should give it your best and get the most out of it. Being able to play basketball at the college level is such an awesome thing that I have dreamed about doing ever since I was barely throwing the ball through the hoop in my diapers."

West, a 6-foot-2 forward from Zanesville, Ohio, averaged 7.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game as a junior at West Muskingum High School as he earned All-District Honorable Mention status. West, who is a three-year letterman, also shot 49.2 percent from the field and 85.2 percent from the free throw line.

"Brady is a versatile player in that he can play on the perimeter as well as inside," said Flemming. "We know him well because he has attended our summer camp for several years. He is a great young man who will be a solid representative of our university."

In addition to playing basketball, West has been selected to the National Honor Society. He has also received a Citizenship Award and an Academic Award.

"There are several reasons why I chose to attend MVNU," said West of his college choice. "First of all, it is a Christian school. I will also have the opportunity to play basketball there."

Wilson, a 6-foot-3 guard/forward from Wadsworth, Ohio, averaged 9.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a senior at Medina Highland High School. He finished the season just three three-pointers away from matching the school's single-season record. For his efforts, he was named to the Medina County All-Star Team and a Suburban League Honorable Mention All-Star.

"Aaron is a young man who will be able to play several positions for us," said Flemming. "He is a good perimeter shooter and he plays very hard. It is evident that his Christian faith is a priority in his life. He will be able to grow and lead in a Christian environment like MVNU."

In addition to playing basketball, Wilson was a three-year letterwinner in football as he helped his team to an undefeated season, the Suburban League title, and the state playoffs. He was also selected as a Suburban League Scholar-Athlete and named to Who's Who Among American High School Students.

"There were several reasons why I decided to attend MVNU," said Wilson of his college choice. "My parents are MVNU alumni and met 25 years ago at a Cougar basketball game. I have attended the Southeast Church of the Nazarene all my life and have been active in the youth activities. I thank God that I can continue my basketball career at a great Christian university with a strong program."

Coldren, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Westerville, Ohio, averaged 7.2 points, 7.1 assists, 3.5 steals, and 3.4 rebounds per game as a senior at Worthington Christian High School. He set a school record with 168 assists in his final season, and he also holds the single-game mark with 12 assists. He was named to the Mid-Buckeye Conference First Team and the All-District Honorable Mention Team.

"Jaren is a true point guard," said Flemming. "He has the ability to get others involved around him. He is able to penetrate to the basket or deliver a pass to an open man. He comes from a strong high school program with a rich tradition. He is another great fit for our school. He is an outstanding student and he desires to be at a Christian college."

In addition to playing basketball, Coldren is a member of National Honor Society and was named to Who's Who Among American High School Students. He was also involved in Student Council as the Junior Class Vice President and was on the Community Impact Team.

"Several things contributed to my choice of MVNU," said Coldren. "I wanted to go to a Christian college close to home and have the opportunity to play basketball. I also know several students at MVNU and several of my high school classmates will be attending next year."

MVNU is coming off a 20-13 season in which the Cougars qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament for the second straight year. The team has posted 20 wins in six of the past seven seasons and also qualified for the NAIA Division II National Tournament three times. The Cougars won the NCCAA national title in 2002.