McNany

NEW WILMINGTON — When they were needed, they were there.

They filled voids. They aided their communities.

A-C Valley graduate Lauren McNany and Knoch grad Abby Jones are leaving Westminster College as Marjorie A. Walker Award winners as a result.

McNany was a senior on the Titans' softball team this season. Jones was a senior on the swim team and a four-year All-Presidents' Athletic Conference performer.

“Lauren was the ultimate utility player,” Westminster softball coach Jan Reddinger said. “She played all over the field for us.”

“Abby's specialty in high school was the breaststroke,” Titans swim coach Pat Smith said. “She stepped in so many swim events here to help the team. Her strength was her versatility.”

The Marjorie A. Walker Award is presented annually to one athlete on each of Westminster's female sports teams. It honors individuals who best exemplify the qualities of fairness, sportsmanship, leadership, determination and competitiveness.

McNany made All-PAC second team as a utility player last year. A three-year starter, she hit .295 last season and shared the team lead with eight doubles.

A biochemistry major with a minor in management, she is applying for a masters program in medical science and pre-health.

“Last year was the first time I really got to hit,” McNany said of softball. “My first year, I didn't bat very much. Sophomore year, I was the flex player and was always hit for.

“I felt like this was going to be my year. I was hitting second or third in the lineup.”

McNany got off to a slow start at the plate, collecting three hits in 16 at bats. The Titans dropped seven of their first nine games.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the season.“We only had two seniors and Lauren was one of them,” Reddinger said. “She was going to be our leader. a catalyst. Her role was going to be huge.”McNany began last season in the outfield. She moved to shortstop to fill a void, then to first base when the regular firast baseman broke her hand. When the catcher succumbed to injury, she moved behind the plate.“It was fun playing different positions,” McNany said. “I just wanted to help my team. Winning the Walker award was an unexpected honor.”Off the field, McNany volunteered with the American Red Cross, Relay for Life, was a high school volunteer softball coach and a Little League volunteer coach.“I love the way she works with younger kids,” Reddinger said.Jones is graduating with a degree in biology and is weighing her options. She may pursue a career as a physician's assistant or in pharmaceutical sales.She said she may spend time in research to join the fight against the coronavirus.“It's bittersweet, seeing my swim career end,” Jones said. “After my last win, I was glad it was over. But I've been doing it since I was 4. It's been a part of my life for so long.“I know I'll miss it. But I need a break from it for a while.”Jones was first team All-PAC her freshman year. She swam a leg of the 800 freestyle relay that won the 2017 conference championship. She was a member of the 200 freestyle relay team that set the school record that year.Like McNany, Jones was a team captain her senior season.“Abby was all about leadership,” Smith said. “Distance freestyle, sprint freestyle, she was open to anything.”A member of the Disability Awareness Club, Jones was also part of the Westminster Entrepreneurial Club, volunteered at community swim lessons and Special Olympics.“I was fortunate to be able to do a lot of things here,” Jones said. “I won some PAC titles and we had good teams. All of that motivated me.”Westminster's athletic awards program is known as the WESPYs.“When I received the email saying I won the Marjorie Walker award, it was a huge honor. It means a lot to me,” Jones said.She's working as an ocean refuge lifeguard on the Outer Banks this summer.“Still around the water,” Jones said, laughing. “Only now I'm swimming the ocean. That's a little different.”

Jones