Culver-Stockton College junior cheerleader McKinsey Vinyard has been recognized as a 2016 Daktronics-NAIA Competitive Cheer and Dance Scholar-Athlete by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Vinyard, a junior business administration major from Griggsville, Ill. (Griggsville-Perry HS), becomes the first competitive cheer scholar-athlete in school history. This was the first year the NAIA recognized competitive cheer and dance student-athletes.

Vinyard, who is also seeking a minor in marketing with a specialization in public relations, competed in four competitions this season with the Wildcats. C-SC finished third in the all-girl cheer category in the Heart of America Athletic Conference championships, and seventh overall in the NAIA East Regional qualifier in February

Seventy-eight competitive cheer and dance student-athletes were recipients of the NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete honor. Student-athletes must have achieved a junior or senior academic standing and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50. Student-athletes who transferred must have been in attendance at an institution for one full year to be eligible.