Tess Cheetham (Oceanside, CA/Oceanside) of the Marshalltown Community College Softball team has signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Ohio Valley University next season. The Fighting Scots are a NCAA Division II institution located in Vienna, WV.
In just one season for the Tigers, Cheetham played a major role in helping turn the program around. After winning just three games in 2015, Cheetham and the Tigers won 29 in 2016, the program's second-most wins in a single season.
Cheetham appeared in all 53 games for the Tigers, primarily as a first baseman. The freshman boasted a .310 batting average after collecting 48 hits, including 14 extra base knocks. Cheetham was named the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Player of the Week on April 12.
After originally coming to Marshalltown as an outfielder, Cheetham was able to adapt to first base for the Tigers. "The coaching staff here is why I have the opportunity to move on to a four-year school. If it wasn't for me coming to MCC, I would not have had the chance to extend my education and playing career."
"Since coming to MCC, I've been able to really focus on my academics and raise my GPA. There are so many options to help you succeed here, such as the Student Success Center and all of the great professors and resources we have."
Cheetham intends to study Psychology with a criminal emphasis at Ohio Valley. Cheetham, who was named to the NJCAA Academic All-Region XI Second-Team for the fall semester, noted Social Sciences faculty member Marie Sheneman as a key to her success "I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to study when I came to MCC, but (Sheneman) really helped me figure out my future career path and I'm very grateful for my time spent with her."
Cheetham sees Ohio Valley as an institution that offers a multitude of opportunities. "Ohio Valley is a place that offers me the ability to grow academically, athletically, and spiritually. After communicating with the coaching staff almost every day, it seemed like a great fit. I'm excited to see where this next step takes me."
