The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced last week that 60 competitive cheer student-athletes have been named 2017Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Concordia (Neb.) and Grand View (Iowa) led all institutions with five individuals on the list.

Culver-Stockton placed two cheerleaders on the list this season.

Named from the Wildcats were senior Stephanie Howard, an elementary education major from Fort Madison, Iowa (Fort Madison HS / Southeastern CC); and senior McKinsey Vinyard, a business administration major with a specialization in marketing and public relations from Griggsville, Ill. (Griggsville-Perry HS). Vinyard was named for the second straight year.

In order to be nominated, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor. Transfer students must complete one full year at the nominating institution to be eligible.