Feb. 9, 2006

By Marc Shaner, ONU Sports Information

In the November-December issue of the Christian Magazine, Sports Spectrum, Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) softball pitcher Lauren Chessum was one of four athletes featured in the section "A new generation of winners."

Chessum was featured with Tim Tebow, a quarterback at Nease High School of Mandrain, Fla. and recently signed with the University of Florida, Whitney Anderson,  a cross country and track runner at Duke University and Chris Johnson, a wrestler at Pensacola Christian College (Fla.).
 
Chessum, who went 31-11 with a 1.40 ERA and 265 strikeouts in 265 1/3 innings as a freshman for the Tigers, was named the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Player of the Year.

She was also became the first Olivet freshman to be named an NAIA All-American since Anna Babinski in 1998. Chessum became Olivet's first pitcher to be named an NAIA All-American since Cory Allen was an NAIA First Team All-American in 1999.

In the feature, Chessum was asked nine questions about herself, most which were about her Christian walk. Some of the questions asked were: Top Verse, Key Ingredients, Goals, Favorite Chill Activity and Favorite Christian Musicians.

Chessum was also pictured in the September-October issue of Sports Spectrum, for being named the NCCAA Player of the Year.

The Tigers finished last season 40-25 and 15-3 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference and won the CCAC Tournament Championship.