ASC RELEASE

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Five Concordia University Texas student-athletes found themselves named to the American Southwest Conference Fall 2009 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team, the ASC office announced on Friday (Dec. 11).

The honor, in its third academic year, recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the Sports Information Directors from the conference's 15 member institutions vote on a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete from each sport.

McMurry University senior cross country runner Kenneth Wheeler, Louisiana College sophomore cross country runner Stephanie Baer, East Texas Baptist University senior football player Kyle Pope, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor senior soccer player Daniel Green, University of the Ozarks senior soccer player Emalee Pearson, and Hardin-Simmons University senior volleyball player Kaela Parnell have all earned the title of Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in their respective ASC 2009 fall sports.

Student-athletes from CTX who were named to the prestigious team include: sophomore women's cross country runner #Joli Bula#, sophomore men's cross country runner #Mark Giardinelli#, senior men's soccer player #Brian Friend#, junior women's soccer player #Lya Morfitt#, and sophomore volleyball player #Kevyn Jackson#.  It was the second straight appearance on the team for both Friend and Morfitt.

Overall, 61 student-athletes from ASC men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball were named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team.