Indiana Wesleyan University Women’s Basketball Coach Steve Brooks announces his second signing for the 2008-09 basketball season. Rachel Steinbarger, a four year starter at Columbus North High School, has signed a letter of intent to further her education and play basketball at Indiana Wesleyan.

Steinbarger, a 5-9 guard, is averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during her senior season at Columbus North. Steinbarger shot 42-percent from 3-point range during her senior campaign. For her efforts on the court, Steinbarger was named to the All-Conference team following her junior and senior seasons after receiving honorable mention status after her freshmen and sophomore seasons. Steinbarger was recently named to the Top 100 Senior players list by the Hoosier Basketball Magazine.

In addition her success on the basketball court, Steinbarger has also excelled on the soccer field. During her senior season, Steinbarger set a school record with the most shutouts in a season with 12 while helping lead her team to the conference championship and an Elite Eight finish in the State Tournament.

Steinbarger said, “The primary reason I chose IWU was because it is a Christian university. It feels like the perfect fit for me because God has sent me so many messages. The basketball aspect is amazing because the coaches and players are like a family, which I love. They seem very personable and loving. The campus is beautiful and the atmosphere at IWU is amazing and breath-taking. It is a great academic school for biology/pre-med. I also love that it is close enough that my family will be able to watch me play”.

“We are so excited to have Rachel as a part of the Lady Wildcat program,” said head Coach Steve Brooks, “Rachel brings a tenacious work ethic and attitude on the court and a strong love for God and people off the court. She has a team first mentality which is what our program strives for. We believe that she will help keep the Lady Wildcat program moving in the right direction. It will be fun to watch her develop into the player and person God wants her to be over the next four years”.

The IWU basketball team is currently 28-5 and ranked No. 11 in the country. A season ago, the Lady Wildcats completed a 38-0 season and won the NAIA Division II National Championship. Earlier this season, they broke an NAIA record for consecutive victories with 56.