Four honored as NAIA Champions of Character

CEDARVILLE (6-17-2008) - Men's distance runner Kevin Kuhn, men's basketball athlete Ryan Reep, women's volleyball player Libby Short and women's basketball performer Mary Stockdale are the recipients of the NAIA "Champion of Character" Award at Cedarville University for the 2007-08 academic year.

The honor recognizes student-athletes for their representation of the five core values the NAIA has established that comprise a Champion of Character: respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

Kuhn, a junior from Springfield, Ohio, is a three-year distance runner for the Yellow Jackets. He placed among the top four CU finishers in all six cross country meets in 2007 to earn All-AMC honors.

According to Kuhn's coach, Paul Orchard, "Kevin continues to impress me with his work ethic in balancing athletics and academics at a high level. He is a true example of a servant leader."

Reep, a junior from Springfield, Ohio, is a three-year member of the Yellow Jacket men's basketball program. He was a team captain and an NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete.

Head coach Ray Slagle notes, "Ryan epitomizes servant leadership on our team. Even with limited playing time, he was still chosen to be a team captain and he plays a significant role in the program with his leadership skills."

Short, a junior from Springfield, Ohio, is a three-year starter for the Lady Jacket volleyball squad. She earned NCCAA All-American honors this past season and received the NCCAA's coveted Susan R. Hellings Award. Short was voted to the All-AMC Second Team and currently ranks third all-time at CU in digs.

Short's coach, Melissa Hartman, added the following, "Libby is a servant leader and will always sacrifice herself for the team. She is a very dependable, quiet leader, is the backbone of our team in prayer, and is an example of putting others first."

Stockdale, a senior from Barberton, Ohio, is a four-year player and two-year starter for the Lady Jacket basketball team. She was a member of the 2008 NCCAA National Championship team and part of three other teams that went to the NAIA national tournament. Stockdale was an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete this year.

Head coach Kirk Martin says, "Mary has a great heart for her teammates and for Christ. She always puts the team first, so much so, that she set the standard for putting team success over individual success."