Athletes ring in accolades

MVNU athletes brought in a multitude of academic honors last year, with 12 MVNU teams garnering NAIA Scholar-Team Honors for the 2015-16 school year.

To receive this accolade, teams must have a combined grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The women’s soccer team topped the MVNU list with a team GPA of 3.58 followed closely by volleyball with a 3.57.

“We use the same diligence we use on the field to transfer over in our studies,” senior women’s soccer player Shannon Gwynn said. “This means studying on the bus during long road trips, studying late after practice and just using our free time wisely.”

Many MVNU athletes also brought in individual honors. In June, the Crossroads League office announced that 20 Cougar athletes received Crossroads League All-Academic Honors.

To be given the honors the athlete must be a junior or senior, maintain a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and be nominated by the institution’s head coach or sports information director.

Cougars who received the accolades are Josh Ashwill and Eric Roby of the Men’s Basketball team, Megan Beidelman and Melanie Lombardi of the Women’s Basketball team, Ellis Gallion, Josh Richardson and Simon Taylor of the Men’s Track and Field team, and Bethany Bogantz and Sarah Gregg of the Women’s Track and Field team.

Also receiving the honors are Softball players Lauren Arndt, Megan Beidelman, Konnor Byers, Hayley Gray, Courtney Rengert (REN-gurt), and Hannah Shaffer; along with Baseball team members Jacob Chrysler, Corey Gould, Jaime Montero, Jay Montero and Riley Swanson.

MVNU also had many athletes achieve these standards in the fall of 2015. Men’s Soccer players Taylor Dyson, Scott Feigner, Daniel Rodriguez and Caleb Sliter, Cross Country runners Jessi Habegger, Sarah Gregg, Ellis Gallion, Josh Richardson, and Simon Taylor received the honor.

Also earning the award are Rachel Baker, Bethany Bogantz, Olivia Boldoser, Ashley Flautt, Shannon Gwynn and Faith Orecchio of the Women’s soccer team along with Carolyn and Marlowe Beatty, Annelise Rohrer and Bridget Troyer of the Volleyball team.