Grant Bell of Bradley University and Bryn Handley of Southern Illinois University have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Bell and Handley were honored for their performances during the period of October 5- October 11.
Grant Bell, Bradley, Sr., Men’s Soccer, Business Management, 3.26 GPA
Bell enjoyed his first career 5-point game by scoring twice and recording an assist in Bradley’s 5-1 win Saturday at Evansville. Bell scored his two goals inside the game’s first six minutes, stripping a defender and scoring at 3:49 and running onto long ball from keeper Logan Ketterer for the eventual game-winner at 5:22. Bell later was credited for an assist on Jacob Taylor’s goal in the 64th minute for a potential hat trick shot that hit off the crossbar before falling to his teammate for the easy finish. As a defender through his first three seasons, he was converted to forward and now currently leads The Valley in shots (35) and shots per game (2.92), he is tied for first in the league with five assists and third with 11 points.
Bryn Handley, So., Women’s Swimming, Behavior Analysis and Therapy, 4.0 GPA
In the second meet of the season, sophomore Bryn Handley helped the Salukis advance to a close 125-116 victory over reigning MVC champions, Missouri State. Handley finished the meet on Saturday with wins in the 500- and 200-yard freestyle races. Handley’s 4:57.36 finish in the 500-yard freestyle broke a pool record at the Hammons Student Center. She finished the 200-yard freestyle in 1:52.01. Heading into the final race of the meet, the Salukis trailed Missouri State by four points. Handley anchored the final 400-yard freestyle relay, swimming with a split time of 51.94 to help the Salukis top Missouri State and advance to win the meet by nine points.
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 will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
Swimming news courtesy of Missouri Valley Conference.
