ST. LOUIS - Michael Ward of Bradley and Shafiqua Maloney of Southern Illinois have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, presented by Enterprise Bank and Trust Company, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. The two athletes were honored for their performances during the period of February 19-25.
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes are evaluated on their athletic performance during the one-week period.
Michael Ward, Bradley, Jr., Track & Field, Biochemistry, 3.80 GPA
Junior Michael Ward became the first Brave to win two different events at a Missouri Valley Conference Championship – indoor or outdoor – when he completed the distance double over the weekend. The junior won the 5,000m crown on Saturday in a time of 14:49.53 in his first collegiate running of the event and then added to his title collection on Sunday with a first-place finish in the 3,000m run, posting a mark of 8:17.31. Ward, who led the Braves to a school-record 78 points at the championship, also tied a BU record with his fourth career MVC title. The Cardiff, South Wales, native owns a 3.80 grade point average in biochemistry.
Shafiqua Maloney, Southern Illinois, So., Track & Field, Geography & Environmental Resources, 3.45 GPA
Maloney won the 400-meter dash, anchored Southern Illinois to win in the 4x400 relay and added a third place finish in the 200-meter dash at the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships over the weekend. Maloney opened with a win in the 400m, as she ran 55.05 to take home SIU’s first MVC title in the women’s quarter mile since 1996. Maloney then ran a personal-best 24.38 to place third in the 200m dash and followed by running a 53.8 second split on the anchor leg of the mile relay to deliver Southern it’s first title in the event since 2005.
About Enterprise Bank and Trust Company
Enterprise Bank & Trust was founded nearly 30 years ago on the idea of serving the lifetime financial needs of privately-held businesses, their owner families and other success-minded individuals. That concept for Enterprise Bank & Trust has remained its unwavering and guiding vision. Enterprise Bank and Trust tailors its services to fit the needs of our clients and has all the capabilities of the largest financial companies with the personal relationship orientation of a community bank. Enterprise Bank and Trust offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust and financial advisory services. Member FDIC.