February 5, 2010

SUBJECT: COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS INDUCTS FORMER ATHLETES INTO SPORTS HALL OF FAME

By: Cherah Higgins

            College of the Ozarks inducted two of its former athletes into the Twenty-Sixth Annual Sports Hall of Fame on January 23, 2010.

            John Carley was a four-year starter in baseball at third base from 1988-1992. He hit .320 as a freshman, .390 as a junior, and .330 as a senior with 12 home runs.  Carley helped lead the Cats to a conference championship his sophomore year and was selected NAIA All-District 16. That same year he helped lead C of O to a 5-1 upset of the University of Arkansas. Carley led District 16 in extra base hits both his junior and senior year. During his senior year, he served as team captain, set a school record for most doubles (19), was named Honorable Mention All-District 16, and led the Cats to the NAIA play-offs.  Carley graduated from College of the Ozarks in 1992.

            Mary Cook was an outstanding volleyball player who lettered four years from 1978-1982. In 1979, she was named first team All-State in the AIAW. In 1980, Cook helped her team reach third place in NAIA District 16 playoffs. In 1981, she was named All-Conference and All-District while leading the team to the OCC championship. Cook was the first S of O volleyball player to receive First Team All-District honors.  She graduated from The School of the Ozarks in 1982.

            The College of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1985; to date, 59 persons have been inducted. 

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