WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – Mount Vernon Nazarene University athletics is pleased to announce the inductions of Phil Argento, Mitchell Soviak, and Riley Swanson into the Cougar Wall of Fame.
The three former Cougar Athletes will be inducted at halftime of the men’s basketball game on homecoming night against Trinity Christian on November 8.
Argento played for the men’s basketball team from 1999-03 and is second all-time in school history with 2338 points scored in his career. Argento is tied for second all-time with Kenny Chaffin with 801 field goals made and is the program’s all-time leader in three-pointers made with 465. Argento also shares the record with Steve Gregory for most threes in a game at 11 against Cedarville University on February 2, 2003.
Argento has many honors to his name. As a freshman, he claimed AMC Freshman of the Year honors. He was on the NCCAA East Region Second Team in his sophomore season. The following year, he made the NCCAA East Region First Team, was an NCCAA Second Team All-American, and was an NAIA Division II Honorable Mention All-American. Argento’s senior year saw the guard make the NCCAA East Region First Team and become an NCCAA Second Team All-American and an NAIA Division II Honorable Mention All-American. Argento also was a part of the team that won the NCCAA National Championship in 2002.
Soviak, who threw for MVNU track & field from 2015-2019, became a National Champion by winning the men’s shotput during outdoor nationals in 2019. Soviak’s third throw of 18.31 meters was good enough to win the event by nearly a full meter, and his worst throw of 17.59 meters would still have been good enough to win the national title that season.
Overall, Soviak ended his MVNU career with four All-American honors in men’s shot put. Soviak became MVNU track and field’s first NAIA National Champion in program history and MVNU’s first-ever NAIA National Champion in general.
Swanson, a graduate of MVNU baseball in 2016, was the Crossroads League Freshman of the Year, a Crossroads League Gold Glove Winner, and a NCCAA East Region Team member in his first season as a Cougar. As a sophomore, Swanson took off. Swanson became an NAIA First Team All-American, an NCCAA First Team All-American, was named to the NCCAA East Region First Team, became a CoSIDA Capital One Academic First Team All-American, and landed on the Crossroads League First Team and Gold Glove Team, and earned the honor of being named the Crossroads League Player of the Year. Swanson would see himself repeat as a CoSIDA Capital One Academic First Team All-American in the following seasons and finish on the Crossroads League First Team and Gold Glove Team.
In his career, Swanson is first all-time with 615 assists, fourth in program history with 56 doubles, and fifth in program history with 210 games played. Overall, Swanson batted .317 to go with 209 hits, 22 home runs, and 132 RBIs. The infielder also boasted a 96% fielding percentage.
“The MVNU Wall of Fame not only serves as a way to recognize former student-athletes for their accomplishments in competition, but it is also a way to highlight what God is doing in their lives after leaving MVNU,” said Director of Athletics, Chip Wilson. “We are very excited to welcome back Phil, Riley, Mitchell, and their families for a special Homecoming celebration. They all left their mark on MVNU, our Athletic Department, and their former teams. We look forward to a great night on November 8, and we welcome back all former teammates to celebrate with us. We hope to see you there!”
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.