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Lady Cougars Add Shelby Softball Standout to Roster
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s fastpitch softball team has added another important recruit to the team’s roster for the 2007 season with the addition of Leslie Banichar.

Banichar, a shortstop from Shelby, Ohio, has been a four-year player at Shelby High School. After being named to the Northern Ohio League Second Team as a freshman and sophomore, she was named to the NOL First Team as both a junior and a senior. She batted .413 and led the team in runs scored, RBI, and stolen bases as a senior as she was also named to the All-District 9 Honorable Mention list.

"By signing Leslie, we have added someone who we think can be an immediate impact player for us,” said MVNU head coach Jeana Howald. "She can play anywhere, but she will primarily play in the infield for us. She has excellent speed and a strong bat, and she is fundamentally sound. She is also an outstanding student who will fit into our school and program nicely.”

In addition to playing softball at Shelby High School, Banichar was a four-year member of the basketball team that was ranked seventh in Division II her senior year and a three-year member of the volleyball team, and she served as a captain in all three sports. She earned scholar-athlete recognition all four years and graduated twelfth out of a class of 182 students with a 4.05 grade point average.

"There were several reasons why I chose MVNU,” said Banichar of her college choice. "I really enjoy the small campus setting at MVNU. I also think the Christian atmosphere will help me grow spiritually in all aspects of my life.”

MVNU is an NAIA school that competes in the American Mideast Conference South Division. The Lady Cougars posted a 16-23 overall record in 2006, and the program has an all-time mark of 503-336-2 in the 22 years of the program’s history.