LAURA WILKINSON - Diving
Born: Nov. 17, 1977
Hometown: Houston, Texas
College: University of Texas

Event:
•10m Platform

Event Career Highlights:
1998 Goodwill Games Platform Gold Medalist
2005 World Championship Gold Medalist
2000 Olympic Platform Gold Medalist
2004 World Cup Platform Gold Medalist

"I know that I don't need a gold medal or a certain score on the scoreboard to know that I'm special, that I matter and that God has a plan for me. We each matter because God made us each unique and special. No collection of titles, medals, degrees or money can give you that. We can put our hope in Jeremiah 29:11 when God says that He has plans for us, not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future!"

ELAINE BREEDEN - Swimming
Born: Nov. 18, 1988
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
College: Stanford University

Event:
•100m and 200m Butterfly

PRs:
100m Butterfly: 58.03
200m Butterfly: 2:06.75

Event Career Highlights:
USA Swimming National Champion – 100m and 200m Butterfly (2005)
200m Butterfly NCAA Champion (2007) – NCAA Record
1st Place, U.S. Swimming Trials in 200m Butterfly (2008)

“My faith has grown so much through my involvement in swimming. God is continually teaching me to rely on Him for everything and proving that if I put His Kingdom first, everything else will fall into place. My goal in swimming is to use the gift He has given me to build relationships and minister to teammates.”

BROOKE ABEL - Synchronized Swimming
Born: Feb. 15, 1988
Hometown: Northridge, Calif.
Club: Riverside Aquettes

Event Career Highlights:
2005 USSS All-American Team II and Junior Team
2006 Junior National Championships: Solo – 1st, Duet – 1st
2006 USSS All-American Team I and Junior Team
2007 FINA World Championships: Combo – 3rd

“Faith and trust are two of the most important aspects of synchronized swimming. Because we’re underwater most of the time, we can’t always see each other during the routine. I have to have confidence that my teammates will do exactly the right thing at the right time. It’s the same with my faith in Jesus Christ. I have to trust Him through every practice and competition that whatever the outcome is, it’s the right path for me.”

TAMIKA CATCHINGS - Basketball
Born: July 21, 1979
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
College: University of Tennessee
WNBA Team: Indiana Fever
Position: Forward

Event Career Highlights:
FIBA World Championship (2002)
WNBA Rookie of the Year (2002)
Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)
WNBA All-Star (2002-2007)

“[Since being in the WNBA], I have done a better job of reading the Bible, trying to immerse myself in the Word and learn more. I see myself growing in my prayer life and asking for forgiveness. I live my life in a way that I know He would want me to.”

KARA LAWSON - Basketball
Born: Feb. 14, 1981
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
College: University of Tennessee
WNBA Team: Sacramento Monarchs
Position: Guard

Event Career Highlights:
Gold Medal – World University Games (2001)
Member of the WNBA Select Team (2003)
WNBA Championship (2005)
Silver Medal – FIBA World League Tournament (2007)
Gold Medal – FIBA Americas Championship (2007)

“Being a Christian helps me understand where basketball fits into my life. Before college, I focused on basketball all the time, but after learning more about God’s lessons—about using basketball as a gift—I had a different approach. I am now able to leave practice or a game and let it go.”

LISA LESLIE - Basketball
Born: July 7, 1972
Height: 6-5
Hometown: Gardena, Calif.
College: University of Southern California
WNBA Team: Los Angeles Sparks
Position: Center

Event Career Highlights:
WNBA Championship (2001)
3-time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, 2000, 2004)
3-time WNBA MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)
7-time WNBA All-Star (1999-2003, 2005, 2006)

“It’s a blessing to be able to play this sport. I recognize that God is always in charge of my life. Even when we’re on the road and there are boos, I know ‘no weapon forged against you will prevail’ (Isaiah 54:17, NIV). The crowd may root against us, but ‘who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31, NIV)”

MICHAEL REDD - Basketball
Born: Aug. 24, 1979
Height: 6-6
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
College: Ohio State University
NBA Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Position: Guard

Event Career Highlights:
World University Games (1999), 1st place
NBA All-Star (2004)
USA FIBA Americas Championship (2007)

“Since I’ve had the Lord Jesus Christ in my life, miraculous things have happened to me. I just thank God every day for Him blessing me and showing me favor when I’m not worthy of any of that. I keep Him first, and I’m diligent in keeping Him first.”*

HYLEAS FOUNTAIN - Track & Field
Born: Jan. 14, 1981
Hometown: Columbus, Ga.
College: Barton County CC (Kan.), University of Georgia

Event: Heptathlon
PR: 6,667 points

Event Career Highlights:
2003 NCAA Heptathlon Champion
2-time USA Outdoor Heptathlon Champion (2005, 2007)
U.S. Olympic Trials Heptathlon Champion (2008)

“Every morning I thank God for waking me up. He is the One who has provided me with this challenge. If it wasn’t for Him, I don’t think I would have done it.”

KEVIN JACKSON - Men's Wrestling
Born: 1965
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
College: University of Tennessee

Event: Freestyle Coach

Coaching Career Highlights:
Led USA to World Cup Championship (2001)
Helped capture a gold medal for the U.S. in 2004 Olympics

"Psalms 27:1-3 helps me stay positive every day. It talks about the fight and your enemies and how God will help you stay confident, no matter what happens. We are only humans, and we are going to have some doubts, fears and apprehension, but we can't get wrapped up in thos things. Sports are not the end-all. They're not who I am. My hope in the Lord is the greatest thing."

ALLYSON FELIX - Track & Field
Born: Nov. 18, 1985
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
College: University of Southern California

Event: 200m

PR: 21.81

Event Career Highlights:
1st place, U.S. Track and Field in the 200m (2004, 2008)
2nd place, Athens Olympic Games in the 200m (2004)
1st place, Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the 200m (2007)
1st place, World Championships in Athletics in the 200m

"My faith is the reason I run--it calms my heart and makes everything feel like a lift. My speed is definitely a figt from Him, and I run for His glory. Whatever I do, He allows me to do it."

KASEY ONWUCHEKWA- Track & Field
Country: Nigeria

Born: Nov. 22, 1985
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
College: Texas A&M
Event: Shot Put
PR: 57-2

Career Highlights:
Broke Texas A&M SP record (2006)
New Balance Collegiate Games Champion (2007)

“I pray for God to be glorified in what I do before I actually start competing, and I realize that the outcome of my competition is in His hands and for His glory, not mine.”

CATHERINE NDEREBA - Track & Field
Country: Kenya

Born: July 21, 1972
Hometown: Nyeri, Kenya
Event: Marathon
PR: 2:18:47

Career Highlights:
Set women’s marathon world record (2:18:47) in 2001
Boston Marathon Winner (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005)
Paris World Championship Marathon – Gold (2003)
Olympic Silver Medalist (2004)
Helsinki World Championship Marathon – Silver (2005)
Osaka World Championship Marathon – Gold (2007)

“If you have nothing to sacrifice, you have nothing to be. In the Christian life, if we don’t sacrifice, we won’t be able to overcome.”