SPRINGFIELD -- A record total of 280 Missouri State University student-athletes were recognized during the 13th 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 19 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 men's swimmer Alex Boutin, who holds a 3.97 grade point average, and co-female recipients Mackenzie Chacon (softball) and Grace O'Keefe (women's soccer), who both hold a perfect 4.00 GPA. 

Significant individual academic achievers were also highlighted, including MVC Elite 17 Award recipient Grace O'Keefe (women's soccer). Missouri Valley Conference Board of Directors Awards were also bestowed on 20 Bear performers: Jenna Anderson (women's soccer), Iraia Arrue (women's soccer), Chris Bedsole (men's swimming & diving), Kaeli Benedict (women's soccer), Alex Boutin (men's swimming & diving), Maddy Bushnell (volleyball), Mackenzie Chacon (softball), Chayenne Chivrac (women's golf), Riley Drew (beach volleyball), Jordan Drum (women's track & field), Ashlie German (women's swimming & diving), Katie Griffin (women's track & field), Sophia Hawley (women's swimming & diving), Amy Henning (women's tennis), Cazzi Norgren (women's soccer), Daniel Normann (men's soccer), Grace O'Keefe (women's soccer), Hailey Palmer (women's soccer), McKenzie Vaughan (softball), Lilly Whitley (women's golf).

Twenty-six student-athletes were recognized as Dr. Bruce Johnson Scholars -- those individuals who have been recognized at the Maroon and White Banquet for four years: 

Jenna Anderson* (women's soccer), Iraia Arrue (women's soccer), Becca Bach (beach volleyball), Helena Bel (women's golf), Kaeli Benedict* (women's soccer), Maddy Bushnell (volleyball), Mackenzie Chacon* (softball), Gary Clinton (football), Kenzie Derryberry* (softball), Ashlie German (women's swimming & diving), Grant Goodson (football), Meghan Halstead (women's track & field), Eydis Helgadottir (women's soccer), Paige Lenahan (women's swimming & diving), Sira Limbu (women's swimming & diving), Anna Lombardo (cross country / track), Sandra Lukacova* (women's tennis), Chloe Merced* (softball), Grace O'Keefe (women's soccer), Kate Owen (volleyball), Michael Peck (men's soccer), Paige Rocca (women's basketball), Brynna Rutherford (women's soccer), Morgan Sprague (volleyball), Brunno Suzuki-Tomiyama (men's swimming & diving), McKenzie Vaughan (softball). 

(* indicates Leadership recipients)

The night's team honors for highest GPA were presented to the MSU beach volleyball team (3.82) and men's soccer team (3.47).