KANSAS CITY, Mo. ---- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) named the 2017 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes late Monday afternoon, and the Central Methodist cross country program had four student-athletes earn the honor. Michael Neeley (SR/Kansas City, Mo.), Justin Smith (SR/Orlanda, Calif.), Abigail Cross (JR/Osborn, Mo.) and Alyssa Thomas (JR/Knob Noster, Mo.) earned the academic award.

Both the men and women's program had two representatives on the list that recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom.

In order to be nominated by an institution's head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.

Cross sports a 4.00, and Thomas has earned a 3.72 for the women's team. On the men's side, Neeley has earned a 3.54, and Smith showcases a 3.63.