NAIA names Fall Scholar-Athletes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics named its Scholar-Athletes for the fall sports on Wednesday, and 15 Loyola Wolf Pack student-athletes were honored in the process. Those individuals came from the men's and women's cross country teams and the volleyball program. 

To qualify as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, appear on the eligibility certificate for their sport, and have attended their institution for at least one full year. This year, the list features an impressive number of student-athletes who have met these rigorous standards.

There were seven on the NAIA's list between the two cross country teams, as Carter Dural, Jace Luckoski, Jermaine McGhee, Connor Meigs, Jacob Mullis, Carter Scheuermann and Emma Meneses all met the requirements to be called an NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Ellie Connor, 

Clarissa Dupree, Kala Emanuelli, Katy Hollingsworth, Samantha Guillotte, Alexa Palmer, Juliet Petruzelli and Belén Puche Laguna all represented the volleyball team for their academic success. 

All three of those teams are coming off successful seasons, as the Loyola volleyball team is still competing in the NAIA National Championship tournament. The men's cross country team placed second at the SSAC Championship earlier this month, nearly winning the meet as well. The women's team, which was made up of six freshmen or sophomores and one junior, placed sixth. The Wolf Pack volleyball team finished the regular season in second place in the SSAC standings, then they won five matches in three days to claim the program's first-ever SSAC tournament title last weekend. Loyola will travel to No. 16 St. Thomas (Fla.) on Saturday for an NAIA National Championship Opening Round matchup. 

NAIA Fall Scholar-Athletics

1. Carter Dural, Men's Cross Country 

2. Jace Luckoski, Men's Cross Country

3. Jermaine McGhee, Men's Cross Country

4. Connor Meigs, Men's Cross Country

5. Jacob Mullis, Men's Cross Country 

6. Carter Scheuermann, Men's Cross Country 

7. Emma Meneses, Women's Cross Country

8. Ellie Connor, Volleyball

9. Clarissa Dupree, Volleyball

10. Kala Emanuelli, Volleyball

11. Katy Hollingsworth, Volleyball

12. Samantha Guillotte, Volleyball

13. Alexa Palmer, Volleyball

14. Juliet Petruzelli, Volleyball

15. Belén Puche Laguna, Volleyball