Athletics

Aric Lyons '23 A Family Tradition

by Ashley (Braun) Gendek '09

Most present and past Wesleyan students describe Wesleyan as their home away from home. For sophomore student-athlete Aric Lyons, that connection goes even further. Aric's father, Chad Lyons '92, uncles Craig Lyons '96 and Tim Payment '97, and aunt Cathy (Evans) Pauley '95 attended KWC long before Aric called Wesleyan home. "The campus has really felt like home since my first visit," Lyons commented. "Attending the College where a large chunk of my family attended is really special."

Chad Lyons, a chemistry teacher and football and baseball coach at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, played Panther football and in 2015, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. That was the first time Aric visited campus. Even though he wasn't considering which college to attend then, he remembers thinking the campus was beautiful and a place he could easily call home.

"I remember my dad reminiscing about KWC and the relationships he formed in college. His closest friends are people he met at Wesleyan. He contacts them on a regular basis to this day and makes it clear that Wesleyan was the place where he formed relationships with people who have helped him throughout his career."

Aric was offered the chance to play baseball at the collegiate level at his dad's alma mater. He pulls double duty as a utility player in the outfield and as a pitcher. Aric also stays involved on campus as the baseball representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a resident assistant.

A chemistry major, Aric stays busy inside the classroom as well. When asked about his future plans, Aric immediately stated optometry was his goal. With the help of family friend Antoine Poythress '91 (CEO, Jenkins County Medical Center, Millen, Ga.), he had the opportunity to shadow several doctors at Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville, Ga. "I spent a week following different doctors, including a pediatrician and an emergency

room doctor, to explore career options. I've also had several optometry visits in my life and that field has always fascinated me."

Aric's favorite memory from his freshman year is the spring break baseball trip to Florida. "We played five games, and we won all five! The best part was being with my teammates the whole week and enjoying the warm Florida weather."

Uncle Tim Payment is a U.S. Army colonel currently stationed at Fort Knox, Ky. He was recognized with the Outstanding Young Graduate Award in 2010 and inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2019. He sees his nephew as an outstanding role model to his cousins and hopes Aric can convince them to become Panthers.

Years after his family members graduated from KWC, the College implemented The Wesleyan Way. Although these principles weren't an official part of KWC back then, it's apparent that the four principles of honor, love, integrity and support were very much a part of the Wesleyan Aric heard about as a kid. "Almost every day, I see either a picture of my dad or of my uncle here on campus," stated Aric. "It's great motivation for me to be like them, and it's also a reminder of how they have impacted my life as role models."

UPDATE ON ATHLETICS

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for the conduct of Division II athletics. We continue to work with national, state and local health authorities to provide safe competition opportunities for our student-athletes. At this time, winter and spring sports are planned to start on time, as scheduled. The cross country, golf, tennis and bowling programs have competed this fall, while previously postponed fall sports (football, soccer and volleyball) will play shortened seasons this spring and have the opportunity to compete for G-MAC championships. Decisions on spectators for all sports will be made in accordance with state, local and facility guidelines.

Rob Mallory n Director of Athletics

Dr. LaTasha Henry '08 The Right People and the Perfect Atmosphere

by Katherine Rutherman

Dr. Henry describes her Panther teammates as "family forever." She recalls victories and

LaTasha Henry had two goals for her immediate post-high school life – to prepare for medical school and play college basketball. "I wanted to play ball, but I was realistic about my field of study and career goals," she remembered. "I knew the best fit for me was a small college with a reputation for academic excellence, and that's why I chose Wesleyan."

She loved science in high school and found the idea of interaction with patients appealing. LaTasha explained that access to care and lack of medical knowledge competency pervaded the community in which she was raised. "I saw family members as they were treated by some of the best . . . and not the best. My motivation originates from those it is most needed and wherever God wants her to be. She

observations."

Dr. Henry said of the science faculty at Wesleyan, "I had one heck of a crew in my corner. Drs. Evelyn Hiatt and David Oetinger in biology, Dr. Bob and Nancy Flachskam and Drs. Henry Connor and W.L. Magnuson in chemistry – all the best. They were there for me every step of the way."

doubting herself. "I felt like pulling out of the race altogether. I just didn't think I had what it took to get into medical school." Dr. Hiatt counseled and encouraged her. "She would not let me give up. She imparted wisdom to me and educated me in a very caring way during that time of crisis." losses, on the court and off the court, that allowed them to grow together. But playing basketball at Wesleyan was about more than her teammates; it was about the fans, too. "You don't meet fans anywhere like Panther fans. What memories."

After earning a B.S. in biology, she enrolled at the University of Louisville School of Medicine and graduated in 2012. An internal medicine residency there followed, and she completed a fellowship in gastroenterology, also at U of L, in 2018. Today she is a practicing gastroenterologist at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala.

She says her goal today is to give whatever she can where She remembered a time when she was overwhelmed and

looks back on her years at Kentucky Wesleyan and is grateful that the College helped her grow and mature. "KWC shaped me. There were so many helping hands, and I always knew God was in control. The people there, and their faith and compassion, are still with me all these years later."

LaTasha still plays basketball every chance she gets, and she enjoys guitar lessons, too. "Kentucky Wesleyan will always be a part of me," she reflected. "The College had the right tools, the right people and perfect atmosphere for me. I will always be grateful."