Terry Phillips of Missouri State University has been selected the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Phillips was honored for her performance during the period of September 28-October 4.

  Now in its 11th 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 22nd 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 member of the Missouri State women's cross country team, Phillips, a sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., captured the individual title at the 2009 Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, Ill., on Saturday, October 3.

   Phillips, who has a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average in biochemistry, paced a field of 378 competitors on the 5K course in a time of 17:40.00, outdistancing conference rivals of Tonya Nero and Leah Thompson of Wichita State.

  To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.