News

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's fastpitch softball team has added another player to its roster for the 2004 season with the addition of Laura Kot, who has decided to further her education and continue her softball career with the Lady Cougars.

Kot, a second baseman from Tallmadge, Ohio, batted .420 with 34 runs scored, 11 RBI, and 12 stolen bases as a junior at Tallmadge High School as she was named to the Suburban League Second Team. This season, Tallmadge has been ranked among the top teams in the state all year.

"We are excited about the addition of Laura to our team," said MVNU head coach Jeana Howald. "She brings a lot of speed to our team, and she is versatile enough to play in the infield or the outfield. She is also a quality person who will fit in well with our team."

In addition to playing softball, Kot was an Honorable Mention All-Suburban League pick in volleyball and basketball in both her junior and senior years. She was also a four-year member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an officer as a junior and senior. She was selected to National Honor Society and was a four-year member of Student Senate. She was on the school newspaper staff for two years and on the Prom Court for two years.

"I chose MVNU because of the Christian environment," said Kot of her college choice. "I will be able to obtain a quality education while strengthening by Christian worldview, and that is exactly what I was looking for in a school. MVNU also has a solid softball program, and I am excited to become a part of it."

MVNU posted a 29-20 overall record in 2003 and advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the first time ever. The Lady Cougars, who set a school record with a .952 fielding percentage and also had a team earned run average of 1.74, return all but two players for this year's squad.