Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Schirmer, Stuart named MVC Scholar-Athletes of the Week
05/20/2009 | 12:00:00 | Track and Field
May 20, 2009
www.siusalukis.com
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Jeff Schirmer and Bianca Stuart of Southern Illinois University have been selected the Prairie Farms Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Schirmer and Stuart were honored for their performances during the period of May 11-17. Now in its tenth year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.
"Prairie Farms and its family of dairies have been the only sponsors of this worthwhile endeavor by the Missouri Valley Conference," said Commissioner Elgin, who is in his 21st year with The Valley. "We are grateful for Prairie Farms continued recognition of our student-athletes for their athletic performance and their academic success."
A distance runner for the Southern Illinois men's track and field team, Schirmer, a junior from Troy, Ill., captured his third-straight 10,000-meter run title and his second-consecutive 5,000-meter run crown at the 2009 State Farm MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Terre Haute, Ind., on May 15-17.
Schirmer, who has a 3.195 cumulative grade-point average in accounting, grabbed his eighth and ninth MVC career track titles. He posted a time of 30:59.18 in the 10,000 meters and establised a Marks Field record in the 5,000 meters, clocking a time of 14:22.56.
A long jumper and sprinter for the Salukis women's track and field team, Stuart, a senior from Nassau, Bahamas, won her third-straight long jump title at the 2009 State Farm MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
A two-time All-American, Stuart, who has a 3.584 cumulative GPA in dental hygiene, compiled the seventh long jump title of her career, registering 20-05.75 (6.24 meters) in the win. She also finished fifth in the 100-meter dash (12.12) and fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 40-04 (12.29 meters).
To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
