The Missouri Valley Conference announced today that Missouri State sophomore Terry Phillips has been named Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week.  Commissioner Doug Elgin awarded Phillips with the honor for the week of April 6-12, based on her athletic performance and her continued success in the classroom.

Phillips, a Kansas City, Mo., native, broke the Missouri State school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 30th Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, Ariz., on Saturday.  She finished second in the event with a time of 10:27.19.  Her time is the fastest in the Valley this season by more than 15 seconds and she currently ranks ninth nationally.  Erin Sutton held the previous record in the steeplechase at 10:27.33, set back in 2004.

Phillips’ time was also an NCAA Regional qualifying standard.  Phillips qualified for and competed in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at last year’s NCAA Mideast Region Championships.

In the classroom, Phillips has a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average and is majoring in biochemistry at Missouri State University.

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 one male and one female student-athlete for their athletic performances over a one-week period and academic successes in the classroom.

Phillips and the rest of the Missouri State track and field team will be at the Kansas Relays beginning today at 4:30 p.m.  The Kansas Relays will continue through Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kan.