Lauren Anderson signs letter of intent with MacMurray

[March 05, 2016]   Lauren Anderson of Mount Pulaski High School is surrounded by her family and her high school golf coach as she signs a letter of intent to play both golf and basketball at MacMurray College in Jacksonville. Seated from left to right are MPHS Golf Coach Darrell Wernsing, Lauren Anderson and her mom Dee Jason. In the back row from left to right is Lauren's dad, Stan Anderson and her sisters, Callie and Taylor.

Family and friends of Mount Pulaski senior, Lauren Anderson, gathered at the Pizza Man of Mount Pulaski recently to watch Anderson sign her letter of intent. While a two-sport athlete at MacMurray College, Anderson also plans on double-majoring in Criminal Sciences and Homeland Security.

Anderson's college coach, Derek James, was reached via email and he is excited about her future with the Highlanders. As the golf coach, James said, "Lauren caught my attention by her consistent play through her senior year and shooting numbers I felt would be consistent in our program. She is a player who will have an immediate impact on our team. We are very privileged to have her joining our MacMurray family."

James is also the women's head basketball coach at MacMurray College and even though Anderson has not played high school basketball since her freshman year due to a heart condition that she is now cleared of, he anticipates good things to come on the court for the incoming freshman. "We are even more excited she will be competing in two sports at MacMurray. With the condition she was faced with early on in her career we are excited to help her develop on the basketball floor. We are inspired to work with her and make her time as a student-athlete at MacMurray the best it can be," James said.

Anderson, a member of the varsity golf team for three years, is equally excited about the opportunity to pursue her dream of playing college sports and felt MacMurray College was the perfect choice. "They are very welcoming people. They really make you feel like you are wanted there and like you are a family. I am very excited to go there and play for them."

Among her favorite memories of high school golf, Anderson noted winning the Junior Bulldog Invite in Greenview her sophomore year was fun. She was only one of two girls participating in the invite and to win it all was a major highlight. Also during her senior golf season she advanced out of regionals and placed halfway in sectionals on the golf course, another major accomplishment.

She also mentioned how much fun it was being around Coach Wernsing. "Practices with coach were definitely a good time. He's pretty fun to be around," she said of Coach Wernsing.

The veteran coach returned the sentiment and added, "She played very well. She is a person who is ready to listen to instruction. A person who learned to look at the course to find out how it laid out. Same thing in putting, where the slope was and just a joy to work with."

Finally as Anderson celebrated this special moment she said, "I'm just excited to go to Mac."

Anderson will graduate from Mount Pulaski High School in May.

[Teena Lowery]