Four Receive NAIA Scholar-Athlete Laurels
Oskaloosa–Four members of the William Penn competitive cheer team were honored for their excellence in the classroom as they were named 2023-2024 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes Thursday.
Zoey Jones (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Elementary Education) leads the quartet with a 3.93 Grade Point Average, while Austin Burkhart (So., Kirkville, Iowa, Secondary Education) is next with a 3.87 GPA.
Lexie Current (So., Gilman, Iowa, Nursing), at 3.81, and Annalise Smith (So., Kakoha, Mo., Elementary Education), at 3.78, also met the criteria.
The award is the first for all four individuals. A total of 234 cheerleaders from within the NAIA were awarded the laurel.
To be eligible for the award, athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale, have attended the nominating institution for one full year prior to nomination, and must appear on the sport’s eligibility paperwork.
