The Missouri Valley Conference announced on Mar. 12 that six Illinois State Redbirds student-athletes have been selected to the swim and dive Scholar-Athlete team for the 2025-26 season.
This recognition highlights academic achievement among student-athletes, underscoring the importance of balancing sports and studies at the collegiate level.
The honorees from Illinois State are seniors Mia Snow, Ella Turken, Chloe Tyler, Delaney Boulden, and sophomores Hope Westphal and Avery Watson. Snow, Turken, Tyler, and Boulden each earned their third career scholar-athlete selection. Watson and Westphal were recognized for the first time in their careers. The grade point averages for these athletes are as follows: Mia Snow (3.85), Ella Turken (4.00), Chloe Tyler (4.00), Avery Watson (3.73), Hope Westphal (4.00), and Delaney Boulden (4.00).
The criteria for selection to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team align with College Sports Communicators standards for Academic All-America nominations. Nominees must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 as an undergraduate or graduate student where applicable; transfer students may use their previous institution’s GPA if one has not yet been established at Illinois State. Eligible student-athletes must be at least sophomores in both academic and athletic standing, with redshirt freshmen not eligible for nomination. Additionally, nominees must compete in at least four competitions or finish in the top eight individually at the conference championship or be part of a top-three relay team.
Illinois State Redbirds is linked to Illinois State University according to the official website. The athletics program benefits from resources such as the Redbird Athletics Excellence Fund to support competitiveness and recruitment according to the official website. Student-athletes also utilize facilities like the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center for preparation according to the official website.
Illinois State Redbirds competes in NCAA Division I events across various regions according to the official website, offering news, schedules, rosters, and fan resources through its online platforms according to the official website. The men’s basketball team recently posted an 8-2 record in one of its best starts according to the official website.
As academic honors continue to play a significant role in collegiate athletics, recognitions like these reinforce a commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
