Gannon University Athletics

Membership in the Golden Knight’s “A” Team represents the very best in intercollegiate athletics. Thirty-four students have qualified by achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA during the most recent completed semester. Gannon’s 341 student-athletes earned a cumulative GPA of 3.22 this past spring semester.

Lauren Soldner led the pitching staff with an 11-7 record in 2008. She also ranks fourth all-time at Gannon in strikeouts (375), sixth in victories (44), and sixth in innings pitched (403). She has undergone 3 knee surgeries in the past year and will play her final season with the Lady Knights in the Spring 2009.

“I like playing softball at the college level because of the bonds and friendships you create with your teammates and coaches. Playing a college sport has helped me focus on time management, which I feel has made me a more efficient person,” said Soldner. “My goal for the softball team is to help take my team as far as I can in conference and national tournaments. Also, my personal goal is to be the best ever at my position in Gannon history.”

Soldner’s hard work in the classroom paid off this spring when she graduated from Gannon with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a cumulative GPA of 3.95. During her time at Gannon, she was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), and a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an education sorority. This fall, Soldner plans to substitute teach for local school districts as well as start graduate school at Gannon majoring in Curriculum and Instruction. After graduate school is finished, she plans on finding a full time teaching position.

“I chose education as a career because of my passion and love for children,” said Soldner. “I feel teaching children is one of the most rewarding things I could ever do in my life and giving back to the community is also something I want to do as well.”

Soldner spent the summer working at her dad’s restaurant, traveling to Rockford, IL for nationals with the SGS Magic 18 and over softball team, and rehabbing her knee for the third time.