RICHARDSON, Texas –– Louisiana College sophomore Stephanie Baer (Monroe, La./Homeschool) , LeTourneau University's John McClanahan, Hardin-Simmons University's ZaVious Robbins and Amy Kuykendall, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's Mark Miller and Erin Maenius have all earned the title of Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in their respective American Southwest Conference 2010 fall sports, the ASC office announced this week.

The honor, in its fourth academic year, recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the Sports Information Directors from the conference's 15 member institutions vote on a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete from each sport.

Bear, a junior cross country runner who is majoring in english with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was also the winner of the ASC Women's Cross Country Distinguished Scholar Athlete award last year. A member of the SAAC, Baer iss involved in a litany of activities both on and off campus. She was a driving force behind LC's “Think Pink” fundraiser, in which the school raised the most money in the conference's 'Make a Change” competition. She has worked with Radio LC and is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Overall, 69 student-athletes from ASC men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball were named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team.

Louisiana College senior quarterback Ben McLaughlin received honorable mention in football, with sophomores Nic Philpot and Emily Breaux earning the same in men's and women's soccer, respectively.

McClanahan (Portland, Texas), a sophomore men's cross country runner who is majoring in electrical engineering with a 3.94 GPA, is a strong Christian role model and is a leader both on and off the course. McClanahan led the YellowJackets in all five meets in which the team participated, and recorded the ASC's top time in a four-mile course this season when he completed the Mock 4 event at Louisiana Tech in a time of 21 minutes, 57 seconds.

Robbins (Mesquite, Texas), a senior football player who is majoring in marketing with a 3.92 GPA, is not only one of the top performers in the league on the field, but is also one of the top all-around student-athletes. Robbins was a first-team All-ASC selection as a wide receiver. He had 86 catches for 1271 yards and 12 touchdowns and he ranked sixth nationally in receiving yards per game and third in receptions. Robbins was a National Football Foundation Academic All-American and was an Academic All-American by CoSIDA.

Miller (Wichita Falls, Texas), a senior soccer player who is majoring in Christian studies with a 3.90 GPA, is a two-time ASC All-Conference First Team selection and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI First Team pick. He is a three-time ASC All-Academic honoree and set a conference record for shutouts as a junior. Miller held opponents to a 0.86 goals against average this season and posted eight shutouts and 84 saves.

Kuykendall (Weatherford, Texas), a senior soccer player who is majoring in accounting with a 3.98 GPA, led Hardin-Simmons to its first national title in NCAA Division III. She was named the ASC women's soccer offensive player of the year and was a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American. Kuyknedall became the ASC's all-time leading goal scorer during the season.

Maenius (San Antonio, Texas), a senior volleyball player who is majoring in business marketing with a 3.97 GPA, is a four-time ASC All-East Division selection and led the ASC in digs in each of the past two seasons. Maenius was a three-time ASC All-Academic selection and she also earned First Team Academic All-District VI honors this season. She became the first UMHB student-athlete to earn Preseason Player of the Year honors three times and also finished her career second all-time in ASC history in digs.

All honorees were also named to the Fall 2010 ASC Academic All-Conference Team.

To view the entire Dinstinguished Scholar Athletes list visit: http://www.ascsports.org/news/2010/12/6/MXC_1206100003.aspx