Drake University women's cross country student-athlete Cassie Aerts (David City, Neb.) has been named one of 10 recipients of the Missouri Valley Conference Fall Service & Leadership Award, the conference announced Thursday, Oct. 30.

Aerts, a junior on the team, is a two-time recipient of the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award, a two-time MVC Academic Honor Roll member and is on the Dean's List at Drake.

In the community, she has served a volunteer teacher for children's liturgy bible study at St. Catherine's of Siena along with other volunteer functions as the catholic church and student center. She has also volunteered extensively with the Drake Relays and other road races in Des Moines and participates in the Best Buddies program.

Athletically, Aerts has competed in six races this fall and finished in the Bulldogs' top five in three of those outings. She had her top race of the season at the Chile Pepper Invitational on Oct. 4 with a time of 18:49.1 on the 5-kilometer course. She and her teammates begin the championship portion of the season on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the MVC Championship.

Joining Aerts as MVC Fall Service & Leadership Award winners were Jessica Teel, Bradley, Volleyball; Matthew Hamilton, Evansville, Men's Cross Country; Mathew McCown, Illinois State, Football; Amanda Smith, Indiana State, Women's Golf; Eric Schoendorf, Loyola, Men's Soccer; Leah Reitmayer, Missouri State, Field Hockey; Jack Rummells, Northern Iowa, Football; Tori Parry, Southern Illinois, Women's Cross Country; Katie Reilly, Wichita State, Volleyball.

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.  The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees.  Institutions select their MVC Leadership & Service Award honorees.