SPRINGFIELD -- A total of 232 Missouri State University student-athletes were recognized during the 12th annual Maroon and White Honors Banquet and Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony held Monday in downtown Springfield.
 
The student-athletes were recognized for achieving a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade-point average for all semesters at Missouri State.

This year's crop of academic honorees represents student-athletes currently participating in all 17 of Missouri State's intercollegiate programs.

The annual Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards were presented to the graduating student-athletes holding the highest cumulative grade point averages. The recipients of this year's awards were swimmers Nicholas Schuster, who holds a 3.98 grade point average, and Kelly Sego, who holds a perfect 4.0 GPA. 

Significant individual academic achievers were also highlighted, including MVC Elite 17 Award recipient Ollie Bate (men's soccer). Missouri Valley Conference Board of Directors Awards were also bestowed on 13 Bear performers: Kelsey Boyce (women's swimming & diving); Alyssa Buchheit (women's soccer); Natalie Clayton (track/cross country); Abby Couch (women's soccer); Camielle Day (women's soccer); Will Duff (baseball); Mary Houston (women's tennis); Ainsley Krug (women's swimming & diving); Kayla Pfitzner (women's golf); Brooke Plessner (beach volleyball); Samantha Roemer (women's swimming & diving); Kelly Sego (women's swimming & diving); and Katie Wemhoener (volleyball). 

Thirty-one student-athletes were recognized as Dr. Bruce Johnson Scholars -- those individuals who have been recognized at the Maroon and White Banquet for four years: Jesus Barea (men's soccer); Alyssa Buchheit (women's soccer); Abby Couch (women's soccer); Camielle Day (women's soccer); Emma Hensley (women's soccer); Mary Houston (women's tennis); AJ Huskey (men's swimming & diving); Brooke Jenkins (track & field); Cabrini Johnson (women's swimming & diving); Max Kreikemeier (men's golf); Ainsley Krug (women's swimming & diving); Rachel Lacey (track & field); Lindsay Lahr (volleyball); Anika Lam (women's swimming & diving); Anna Lucas (women's swimming & diving); Dylan Moffatt (men's swimming & diving); Katherine Montgomery (women's soccer);  Margo Nea (track/cross country); Kayla Pfitzner (women's golf); Brooke Plessner (beach volleyball); Alessia Puleo (women's swimming & diving); Carly Raunig (women's soccer); Paige Rocca (women's basketball); Samantha Roemer (women's swimming & diving); Eric Schuessler (men's golf); Nicholas Schuster (men's swimming & diving); Kelly Sego (women's swimming & diving); Riley Sherron (women's soccer); Katie Wemhoener (volleyball); Jordan Wenner (women's swimming & diving); Johanna Wollenhaupt (women's golf).

The night's team honors for highest GPA were presented to the MSU women's golf team (3.72) and men's soccer team (3.33).