Oct. 28, 2002

FAIRFAX, VA... Former George Mason softball player Christa Dalakis has taken a big step toward possibly playing in the 2004 Olympic Games next summer in Athens, Greece.

Dalakis, a four-year player at Mason from 1994-97, was one of 12 North American players recently named to the Greek National Softball Team.

Her selection to the team was announced after a three-day summer tryout, involving 32 players, was held at the headquarters of the International Softball Federation (ISF) in Plant City, FL.

"I'm on this team right now because I'm very motivated in everything I do, and that helps me out on the field," said Dalakis, who owns a personal training studio in Tyson's Corner, Breakaway Fitness.

A resident of McLean, VA, and originally a native of Gaithersburg, MD, Dalakis was one of more than 100 players with Greek heritage who submitted applications for the initial tryout. Each player was then asked to submit a video to Greek head coach Linda Wells, who trimmed the list of invitees.

In January, Dalakis and the additional 11 North American players will join seven Greek players in Phoenix, AZ, for the start of national team training.

"It's going to be a lot of fun playing against some really good players next summer," said Dalakis. "I'm just going keep playing to the best of my abilities, and see what happens."

The announcement of the Greek Olympic team will be released later next year.

While at George Mason, Dalakis started 185 games and posted a career batting average of .304. She also had 172 hits, 17 doubles, 10 triples, 64 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Her best season came as a senior, when she hit .362 with six doubles, three triples and 20 RBI.

An outstanding athlete, she also played two seasons on the Patriots volleyball team and she was a three-sport star at Quince Orchard High School.

After graduating from George Mason, Dalakis played for the Stratford (CT) Brakettes in the Women's Major division of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).