Ryan Seesholtz, Steve Mayes, and Mark Hess have helped to lead MVNU to a 93-38 record over the past four years (.710 winning percentage). The Cougars have reached the 20-win mark all four years and have posted a 47-14 mark at home that includes a 10-1 home record this season. They finished as the runner-up at the 2004 National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament and they advanced to the Elite Eight at the NAIA Division II national tournament in 2006 for the second time in school history while tying the school record for wins in a season with 27. This year, MVNU is 22-5 overall and ranked 12th in the latest NAIA Division II poll. The Cougars have also posted a 14-3 conference mark to set a new school record for most conference wins.

Seesholtz (right), a 6-foot-4 forward from Georgetown, Ohio, has played in 125 games over the past four years with 98 starts. The former Georgetown High School star ranks 22nd in school history with 1,232 career points. He is also sixth in school history in career rebounds (752) and eleventh in career steals (176). Seesholtz was named to the AMC South Division All-Freshmen Team in 2003-2004 and was an AMC South Division Honorable Mention pick in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. He was also selected as an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete in 2005-2006 and is up for that honor again this year.

This season, Seesholtz is averaging 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. He leads the team with 55 steals and tied the school’s single-game record with eight steals against Malone College. He is also second on the team with 76 assists, and he has blocked eight shots.

"Ryan is one of the best all-around players we have ever had,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "He is our most versatile player, and he has done whatever I have asked him to do and done it well. Although he has had some big scoring games, it is all the other things he does that has played into our success as a team.”

"Ryan is a great defender and because of that he is usually assigned to the opponent’s best player,” Flemming added. "I always know he is going to give 100 percent all the time. His team-first attitude has made him a tremendous leader on our team. It has also been exciting to see him grow as a follower of Christ. This is truly a priority in his life. It has been a joy to coach Ryan these past four years.”

Mayes (left), a 7-foot center from Edgewood, Kentucky, has played in 117 games during his career with 53 starts. The former Dixie Heights High School product holds all the MVNU blocked shot records for a game (12), a season (132), and a career (345). Mayes has compiled 805 points and 597 rebounds in his career, and he is shooting 72.4 percent from the free throw line. He also became the second player in school history to record a triple-double with 11 points, 12 blocked shots, and 12 rebounds versus Myers University on November 17, 2006.

This season, Mayes is averaging a career-best 8.3 points and a team-leading 7.1 rebounds while shooting 83.3 percent at the free throw line. After leading NAIA Division II in blocked shots last year, he currently ranks second in the nation with 119 blocks so far.

"Steve has evolved from a project when he first arrived as a freshman to an impact player,” said Flemming. "He has greatly developed his skills both offensively and defensively. His defensive presence has made him a game-changer. He is undoubtedly the best shot blocker our program has ever had. I always enjoy watching post players try to take it at him, and Steve just keeps sending the ball out the other direction. It must be discouraging for the same player to get his shot blocked three times in one possession.”

"What I am most proud of, though, is Steve’s passion for ministry,” Flemming added. "Much like his development as a player, I have seen Steve go from being a young Christian to a spiritual leader on our campus. He will do great things for God when he leaves MVNU.”

Hess (right), a 6-foot-6 senior post from Ashland, Ohio, has played in 123 games with 119 starts during his career. The former Ashland High School standout currently ranks third in school history in rebounds (941), fourth in free throws made (318), seventh in field goals made (722), and eighth in points (1,771). Hess was named the AMC South Division Freshman of the Year in 2003-2004 as well as being on the AMC South Division Second Team. Then, he was selected to the AMC South Division First Team, the NCCAA East Region First Team, the NCCAA All-American Second Team, and the NAIA Division II Honorable Mention All-American Team in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. In addition, Hess was an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete in 2005-2006 and is up for both honors again this year.

This season, Hess is averaging 11.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting a career-best 56.8 percent from the field. He has also recorded 46 assists and 11 steals, and he was recently named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Second Team.

"Mark has been one of the best players ever to put on a Cougar uniform,” said Flemming. "He is one of a handful of players who was able to make an immediate impact in his first game as a freshman, and he has been making an impact ever since. His consistency has been his strongest attribute. Mark has been the ‘go-to’ guy down in the post. Although he has battled several injuries, he has always bounced back. He has a very good understanding of the game and will make a great coach in the days ahead.”

"I have also seen Mark grow in his faith,” Flemming added. "With God’s help, he will have a tremendous opportunity to shape the lives of the high school students he instructs in the classroom and coaches on the court. He has made a positive difference on our team and on our campus.”

A victory over Ohio Dominican on Saturday will guarantee at least a share of the AMC South Division title for the Cougars, which would be only the second conference title in the program’s successful history. If MVNU wins and both Walsh University and Cedarville University lose on Saturday, then the Cougars would win the title outright and secure an automatic berth into the NAIA Division II national tournament. If either Walsh or Cedarville win on Saturday, then MVNU will host an AMC Tournament playoff game on Wednesday.