La Crosse, Wis. - Women's cross country runner Jennifer Johnson (Sr. - La Crosse, Wis.) and men's cross country runners William Leonard (Jr. - La Crosse, Wis.) and Nathan Spangler (Jr. - Richland Center, Wis.) were named 2009 Daktronics-NAIA Cross Country Scholar-Athletes. In order to qualify for this recognition, nominated student-athletes must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a four point scale and have a junior or senior academic standing.

Johnson is majoring in Management and was the seventh Lady V-Hawk harrier across the finish line at the National Catholic Invitational. Her best time this season was run at the University of Notre Dame where she finished the 5k race in 22:58. Johnson is the fifth Lady V-Hawk harrier to earn the scholar-athlete distinction.

Leonard is majoring in Theatre and was the sixth V-Hark finisher at the Mt. Mercy College Mustang Gallop and at the National Catholic Invitational. His best time was run at the University of Notre Dame where he finished the 8k race in 31:26.

Spangler is majoring in Nursing and was the fourth V-Hark finisher at the Mt. Mercy College Mustang Gallop, Crown College Invitational, National Catholic Invitational, Wisconsin Private Colleges Championship, and the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship. His best time was run at the MCC Championship where he finished 24^th out of 68 runners in 29:02. Leonard and Spangler are the second and third harriers from the men's cross country team to earn the scholar-athlete distinction.