Katie Cerneka Class: Senior Hometown: Belleville, Ill. High School: Althoff Catholic Height: 5-6 Position: Outfield Birthdate: 09/18/1980 Bats/Throws: R/R

2002: Played in 29 games, starting 26 of them mainly in leftfield … was 23-73 (.315) at the plate, although did not have enough at-bats (two per team game) to qualify for team lead in batting … recorded career highs in almost every offensive category … hit first homerun as an Otahkian against Eastern Kentucky (3.24) … committed only one error in the field … 10-24 (.417) batting on the season with two outs … recorded six multi-hits games and had a long hitting streak of four games … recorded back-to-back-to-back two hits games in doubleheader against Loyola of Chicago (3.7) and versus Indiana State (3.11).

2001: Played in 24 games, starting 14 … was 2-3 with a run scored against Akron at University of Kentucky Tournament (3.11) … was solid defensively, only committing one error (.944 fielding percentage) … good eye at the plate, drawing seven walks and only striking out four times … only Otahkian to have single-digit number of strikeouts on the season.

2000: Walk-on who played in 11 games, starting three … although playing time was limited, had a .533 batting average in 15 at-bats … had a slugging percentage of .600 and an on-base percentage of .529 … went 2-3 with four RBI’s in 11-3 win against Tennessee State (5.7).

Prep: Attended Althoff Catholic High … played shortstop, third base and outfield for coach Mary Kloess … drove in tying run in sectional final for team that advanced to state tournament … also competed in basketball and volleyball … volleyball teammate of current Otahkian volleyball players Suzanne Gundlach and Emily Scannell.

Personal: Born 9-18-80 … daughter of Dennis and Jean Cerneka … father is a graduate of Southeast … majoring in communication disorders … named to 2002 Verizon Academic All-District softball team … NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete in 2000 and 2001 … National Honor Society member in high school … Southeast Scholar Athlete … sisters Jill and Kim played softball at Quincy University … named to 2000-01 OVC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Richmond says: “The word on Katie Cerneka is dependable. She will always make each defensive and the player who will deliver in crucial situations. One of our captains, I am relying on her for direction to our team.”