Athletics

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Cougars Land Dover High School Center for 2006-2007
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team has landed another important recruit for the 2006-2007 season with the addition of Bryce Sanborn, who has decided to further his education and continue his basketball career with the Cougars.

Sanborn, a 6-foot-8 center from Dover, Ohio, averaged 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 67 percent at the free throw line as a senior at Dover High School. For his efforts this season, he was named to the East Central Ohio League First Team, the Eastern District Second Team, the District Five Second Team, and the All-Ohio Honorable Mention Team. Sanborn has also been selected to play in the Ohio North/South All-Star Game.

"Bryce is a young man with a great deal of potential,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "He is a very good player now, but I think that his best days are ahead of him. He has played in a strong high school program under a very good coach. This will prepare him for the college game. He is very skilled around the basket, and he has the ability to run the floor well for a player his size.”

"In Bryce, we are getting a tremendous young man off the court as well,” Flemming added. "He is an outstanding student and has the kind of personality that will make him a leader on our campus. I have been impressed by his maturity and his commitment to his Christian faith. He will be a great addition to the current group of players that we have.”

In addition to playing basketball, Sanborn is a member of National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been selected as a scholar-athlete and named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

"Many things played a part in my decision to attend MVNU,” said Sanborn of his college choice. "The university offers excellent opportunities to develop in all aspects of life. There is a strong foundation academically as well as athletically and spiritually. The campus life has a great variety of things to offer, and the faith-based teaching makes for a solid learning environment. I look forward to being a part of such a successful basketball program.”

MVNU finished the season with a 27-9 overall record and was ranked 15th in the final NAIA Division II poll. The Cougars, who have topped the 20-win mark in nine of the past 10 seasons, won the American Mideast Conference Tournament, earned a berth in the NAIA Division II national tournament, and knocked off Embry-Riddle (Fla.) University, the top-ranked team, to advance to the quarterfinals.