Cedars, February 2019

Jonny Stephens // Soccer “Soccer is not what defines you.” Stephens’ first season with the men’s soccer team was an impressive one. He started in 16 games and made an appearance in all but one. Playing center defense meant Stephens’ stats didn’t stand out, but he still notched four goals and made a huge defensive impact for the Jackets. Stephens’ size no longer holds an advantage like it did in high school. In college soccer, there are always others who were bigger, stronger and faster. The 6-foot-3-inch defender also noted that there was no longer a worst player to go after. “I was always told to find the ‘Bambi,’” he said. “In college soccer there’s not really a weak link, so you really have to work together. You can’t really rely on your own skills.” Like all of the other athletes, he acknowledged that being a student athlete is not a walk in the park. He laughed and said, “We had a 6 a.m. practice today and I texted my mom that, and she was like, ‘Hey, no one said it was going to be easy.’” It’s not all bad, though. Stephens’ eyes lit up when he talked about his team’s practices. “We don’t run, which is amazing,” he said. Instead, they are expected to be fit, and they have fitness tests to make sure they are. Stephens is thankful for coach Brett Faro, who pushes the team to be the best they can be physically and spiritually. Ste- phens mentioned that Faro requires them to do certain workouts but does the same on his own time. “He’s very relatable. He’ll persevere with you,” Stephens said. He’s also grateful to be on a team where scoring does not mean self-glory, like it did in high school. Now, he is on a team that worships Christ before games, and plays to “further His kingdom.” He wants to use this time as a Cedarville student-ath- lete intentionally. “My four years are probably going to go by really fast, so trying to use the God-given talents I have to further His kingdom is something I want to do while I’m still here,” he said. Bethany Sholl // Cross Country “We’re running for a different goal.” Sholl played a part in the cross country team’s successful 2018 season that ended with a third-place finish in the G-MAC Cross Country Championship. Sholl’s best time of the season was 23:18.6. Entering her freshman year of college as a student athlete was understandably intimidating for Sholl. But living with fellow student athletes has been a great encouragement. “I wasn’t sure how hard it would be and if I was going to be able to balance that with a nursing major,” Sholl said. “A few of [my teammates] are in the same hall, and I think that we can all relate to each other in being freshman athletes and trying to figure out how it all works.” Sholl said her team has a lot of leaders that are impactful in many aspects of her life. Cedarville’s student athletes work together on and off the court, and that takes away from the hardships that come with being a student-athlete. Cross country coach Jeff Bolender is intentional with his team. Sholl says she was encouraged by him and the focus he put on having a personal relationship with his athletes. Coming from high school sports, where the goal is personal gain, to Cedarville has had a positive impact on Sholl. “I love running more,” she said. “I’m glad I had that experience in high school, but I’m really glad I have this experience to be on this team now.” Next year, the cross country team is aiming to get to nationals, as they are every year. Sholl is excited to see what she personally can accomplish next year to contribute to that goal. February 2019 19 SPORTS Abigail Hintz is a freshman journalism major and sports writer for Cedars. She loves sending people GIFs, reading books and watching way more soccer than the average person.