December 8, 2010

RICHARDSON, Texas — Hardin-Simmons football player ZaVious Robbins and women’s soccer player Amy Kuykendall have each been named the American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athlete  for their respective sport.

The honor, in its fourth 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.

LeTourneau University’s John McClanahan, Louisiana College’s Stephanie Baer and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Mark Miller and Erin Maenius have joined Kuykendall and Robbins in earning the title of Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in their respective American Southwest Conference 2010 fall sports, the ASC office announced on Monday (Dec. 6).

Robbins (Mesquite, TX), a senior football player who is majoring in marketing with a 3.92 GPA, is not only one of the top performers in the league on the field, but is also one of the top all-around student-athletes. Robbins was a first-team All-ASC selection as a wide receiver. He had 86 catches for 1271 yards and 12 touchdowns and he ranked sixth nationally in receiving yards per game and third in receptions. Robbins was a National Football Foundation Academic  All-American and was an Academic All-American by CoSIDA.

Kuykendall (Weatherford, TX), a senior soccer player who is majoring in accounting with a 3.98 GPA, led Hardin-Simmons to its first national title in NCAA Division III. She was named the ASC women’s soccer offensive player of the year and was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American. Kuyknedall became the ASC’s all-time leading goal scorer during the season.

McClanahan (Portland, TX), a sophomore men’s cross country runner who is majoring in electrical engineering with a 3.94 GPA, is a strong Christian role model and is a leader both on and off the course. McClanahan led the YellowJackets in all five meets in which the team participated, and recorded the ASC’s top time in a four-mile course this season when he completed the Mock 4 event at Louisiana Tech in a time of 21 minutes, 57 seconds.

Bear (Monroe, LA), a junior cross country runner who is majoring in english with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was also the winner of the ASCWomen’s Cross Country Distinguished Scholar Athlete award last year. A member of the SAAC, Baer;s involved in a litany of activities both on and off campus. She was a driving force behind LC’s “Think Pink” fundraiser, in which the school raised the most money in the conference’s ‘Make a Change” competition. She volunteers with Radio LC and is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Miller (Wichita Falls, TX), a senior soccer player who is majoring in Christian studies with a 3.90 GPA, is a two-time ASC All-Conference First Team selection and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI First Team pick. He is a three-time ASC All-Academic honoree and set a conference record for shutouts as a junior. Miller held opponents to a 0.86 goals against average this season and posted eight shutouts and 84 saves.

Maenius (San Antonio, TX), a senior volleyball player who is majoring in business marketing with a 3.97 GPA, is a four-time ASC All-East Division selection and led the ASC in digs in each of the past two seasons. Maenius was a three-time ASC All-Academic selection and she also earned First Team Academic All-District VI honors this season. She became the first UMHB student-athlete to earn Preseason Player of the Year honors three times and also finished her career second all-time in ASC history in digs.

All honorees were also named to the Fall 2010 ASC Academic All-Conference Team.

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