Cedars, April 2018

April 2018 SPORTS by Joshua Stevens H annah and Heather Lord are not just sophomores on the Cedarville University softball team. They are twin sisters who excel in both sports and academics, and are driven by faith, family, and friends. Growing up in Marietta, Ohio and at- tending the small Wood County Christian School across theOhioRiver inWilliamstown, West Virginia, Hannah andHeather were suc- cessful on the field and court and diligent in the classroom. Their attitudes and work ethics have not dwindled since coming to Cedarville in the fall of 2016, and they continue to im- press in many aspects of their student life. The twins played many sports growing up including soccer, basketball, and volley- ball, but they said softball was their favorite. “We started out loving softball as kids,” Hannah said. “Our parents were very sup- portive in taking us to tournaments and making sure we had the right coaching.” Since Hannah and Heather were home- schooled until their freshman year of high school, they had to find their own ways to be involved in sports. This included travel soft- ball and having their older brother Nathan help them with their basketball skills. “He wanted us to excel in all that we did,” Heather said. “He would push us hard and make sure we were doing the best that we could.” The extra motivation from their family helped Hannah and Heather make the tran- sition to high school. The twins had never played on a high school team before, but they were ready to face the challenge. They were successful in every sport they played. They won the volleyball West Virgin- ia Christian Athletic Tournament all four years they played. In basketball, Hannah owns the school record for career 3-point- ers and assists and Heather has the school record for overall scoring. Wood County Christian presented a challenge for Hannah and Heather, though, as the school did not have a softball team. However, Hannah and Heather were deter- mined to do whatever it took to improve, and the school gave them permission to play on the baseball team. Playing with guys on a baseball team could have been challenging, but both were encouraged by the team. “It was different, obviously,” Hannah said. “But it wasn’t too much of an adjust- ment. They knew where our skills were at, and we knew where their skills were at, and everyone knew their place.” Through playing baseball, the twins were able to find a new respect for softball. “Softball has so much strategy,” Heath- er said, comparing the two sports. “Playing baseball, it didn’t seem like there was as much strategy.” “At Wood County, in baseball, you’re just trying to hit the ball and wherever you hit it is fine,” Hannah said. “On our travel (softball) team, it was all situational.” Their knowledge of the game and skill allowed Hannah and Heather to be able to pursue college softball. They signed to play for Cedarville in the spring of their senior year. In their first year with the Lady Jackets, the teamwent 33-20 and 21-4 in the G-MAC. “They are extremely athletic and highly skilled players, especially defensively,” Cedar- ville softball coachWes Rowe said. “They have been blessed with quickness and speed.” Throughout their sports journey, Han- nah and Heather Lord remain two humble individuals. They focus on their academics; they both have above a 3.9 GPA. They have also proven to be great teammates. “They have impacted me tremendous- ly,” teammate Danielle Wolgamot said. “They have been a constant encouragement in my life, always having positive attitudes and doing everything in excellence.” Hannah and Heather’s dedication and encouragement can be attributed to their faith. In the ups and downs of their journey, the sisters always use their talents and abil- ities to glorify God. “You can be joyful in any situation,” Hannah said. “We’re doing what we love, and God has given us these talents and abilities. We try not to take that for granted.” Their joy and faith has impacted those around them as well, whether it be friends, teammates, or coaches. “The main thing I have learned from them is how to be diligent in everything you do yet be so humble in the Lord,” teammate Avary Humes said. “They are genuine and authentic in pursuing things not for the ac- colades but for the Lord.” As Hannah and Heather continue their softball journey at Cedarville, they want to continue to have a humble attitude and a faithful, servant’s heart. “We want to work hard in everything that we do,” Heather said. “So we can excel at the things that God has given us to do.” Joshua Stevens is a sophomore journalism major and sports writer for Cedars. He en- joys rooting for the Tennessee Titans and listening to old-school music. Lord Twins Excel On and Off the Field Photo by Lydia Wolterman Heather Lord says she and her sister have loved softball since they were young kids. Photo by Lydia Wolterman Hannah Lord and her sister played baseball in high school because their school did not have a softball team. 19