L-R: Houser, Fesperman, Kessler, Parker, Kennedy, and Hedgepeth
Six of Catawba College's female student athletes were recognized Wednesday, Feb. 25, during halftime of the men's basketball game by Catawba's Department of Sport & Health Sciences to commemorate National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
These young women, all chosen to represent their sport by their respective coaches, included Kimberly N. Fesperman of Kannapolis, softball; DeAnna Hedgepeth of Wytheville, Va., cross-country; Taylor M. Houser of Mount Holly, volleyball; Lauren M. Kennedy of Salisbury, golf; Sloan E. Kessler of Onalaska, Wis., tennis; and Allison S. Parker of Mount Ulla, soccer.
Kessler
Of these six young women, Sloan E. Kessler received special overall recognition for her role on and off campus as an exemplary ambassador for female student athletes. Kessler, who has been in the line-up on the tennis team since her freshman year, has been team captain and most valuable player. She earned All-SAC honors in 2013. A Sustainable business and Community Development major, she has a 3.89 GPA. She is active in the environmental science community projects and was one of the founders of the sustainable garden on campus. She has also made time to volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Operation Christmas Child.
Information about the five other female student athletes who were recognized is as follows:
Hedgepeth
Fesperman
Kimberly Fesperman: She is a part-time starter at first base for the last two seasons. An Exercise Science major, she has a 3.78 GPA and has served as a Junior Marshal and vice president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee at Catawba. She has volunteered with Make-A-Wish, softball's Strikeout for Cancer, Rowan Helping Ministries, and has served as a mentor to a local middle school softball team.
Houser
Kennedy
DeAnna Hedgepeth: Currently a junior, Hedgepeth has been a top performer each year, posting four top 10 finishes. Majoring in Athletic Training, she has a 3.2 GPA. She has volunteered time with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, the Senior Games, Rowan County Special Olympics and a free dental clinic.
Taylor M. Houser: The main libero on the volleyball team for the past two seasons, Houser is a Therapeutic Recreation major with a 3.93 GPA. She serves as president of the Sport and Health Science Society at Catawba. She has volunteered to assist with a visually impaired Putt-Putt Tournament, at World Health Day and has served as a mentor and tutor at several area schools.
Parker
Lauren M. Kennedy: She has been a mainstay in Catawba's golf lineup since her freshman year. Her current 79.1 career scoring average is third best all-time. A Business major with a 3.88 GPA, she was the SAC Scholar Athlete for women's golf last year. She served as an intern for the U.S. Golfers Association at last year's U.S. Open in Pinehurst.
Allison Parker: She played in over 50 career matches as a defender for the Catawba's Lady Indians. She helped the team to 17 shutouts over her career while chipping in with a pair of goals. As a senior, Allison became a role model and leader for her team.
The 29th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day was officially commemorated on Feb. 4.
