ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Twelve Centenary Ladies gymnasts were named Midwest Independent Conference Scholar Athletes at the annual banquet preceding the 2018 Championships. To be named a Scholar Athlete, a gymnast needed to have a GPA of 3.25 or better for the fall 2017 semester.

"Of course, I am beyond proud of our Ladies and all of their academic accomplishments," said head coach Jackie Fain. Our upperclassmen have built this incredible culture of academics first on this team, and they encourage each other to make academics their priority from the moment they walk on campus. They model it in their own behavior, and they lead the younger athletes to have those same values, I love that about this team. These Ladies are incredibly dedicated to both their studies and their sport.

Added coach Fain, "They sacrifice an awful lot to be a part of the Ladies gymnastics team, and their dedication is paying off in big ways!"

Those honored were seniors Ashley White and Kaitlyn Mussio; juniors Navia Jordan, Mackenzie Packer, Elizabeth Sander, Natalie Scates, and Tavia Smith; sophomores Delia Ardoin and Cami Bea Austin; and freshmen Jenny Jackson, Dorothy Mims, and Sierra Ponder. The 12 honorees represent 75 percent (12 of 16) of the Ladies gymnastics roster.

This marks the fourth straight year Mussio has been recognized, while Jordan, Packer, Sander, Scates, Smith, and White are an MIC Scholar Athlete for the third straight season. Ardoin and Austin are being honored for the second straight year.

Centenary will compete against Illinois State, Southeast Missouri State, Texas Woman's, UIC, and host Lindenwood at the annual MIC Championships Friday night, March 23. First rotation is set for 6 p.m.