KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced the 2022 Baseball Academic Awards. All 12 of the baseball programs were recognized for their hard work in the classroom.
The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat baseball team had 17 of its student-athletes honored by the MIAA for their effort in the classroom and on the diamond.
The prestigious MIAA Academic Excellence Award was achieved by eight individuals, including Bearcat sophomore
Ryan Williams. Williams has a perfect 4.0 grade point average with a major in accounting. An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of at least 4.00 at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of grades reported at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Click
here to see the complete list.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Ryan Williams |
So. |
4.00 |
Accounting |
Kansas City, Mo. |
The Scholar-Athlete distinction went to 27 student-athletes, including Northwest's sophomore relief pitcher
Jacob Gajic, senior outfielder
Ryan Koski, senior starting pitcher
Alex Slocum and senior starting pitcher
Max Spitzmiller. A Scholar-Athlete is an individual that has a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 or better at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors in the sport for the 2023 season. Click
here for the complete list.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Jacob Gajic |
So. |
3.50 |
Writing |
Hamilton, Ontario |
| Ryan Koski |
Sr. |
3.67 |
MBA - General |
Kearney, Neb. |
| Alex Slocum |
Sr. |
3.51 |
Sports Management |
Liberty, Mo. |
| Max Spitzmiller |
Sr. |
3.59 |
Applied Health: Sports Science |
St. Charles, Mo. |
In the Academic Honor Roll category, 177 student-athletes were mentioned which includes 24 Bearcats. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 or above at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. Click
here for the complete list.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Alex Bowers |
So. |
3.23 |
Business Management |
Springdale, Ark. |
| Jace Davidson |
So. |
3.75 |
Human Services |
Fort Dodge, Iowa |
| Caden Diel |
Jr. |
3.50 |
Business Economics |
O'Fallon, Mo. |
| Jake Emhardt |
So. |
3.78 |
Biology: Biomedical Sciences |
Overland Park, Kan. |
| Jacob Gajic |
So. |
3.50 |
Writing |
Hamilton, Ontario |
| Ryan Koski |
Sr. |
3.67 |
MBA - General |
Kearney, Neb. |
| Trent Kozeal |
R-Fr. |
3.48 |
Business Management |
Neola, Iowa |
| Alexander Lovin |
Sr. |
3.14 |
Accounting |
Columbia, Mo. |
| Alex McClure |
R-Fr. |
3.59 |
Business |
Platte City, Mo. |
| Caden Opfer |
So. |
3.15 |
Applied Health: Exercise Science |
Omaha, Neb. |
| Layne Shiers |
So. |
3.06 |
Applied Health: Exercise Science |
Kearney, Neb. |
| Colin Shreves |
Sr. |
3.03 |
Business Management |
St. Louis, Mo. |
| Cole Slibowski |
So. |
3.26 |
Physical Education |
St. Joseph, Mo. |
| Alex Slocum |
Sr. |
3.51 |
Sports Management |
Liberty, Mo. |
| Max Spitzmiller |
Sr. |
3.59 |
Applied Health: Sports Science |
St. Charles, Mo. |
| Zach Wiese |
Jr. |
3.74 |
Accounting |
Omaha, Neb. |
| Ryan Williams |
So. |
4.00 |
Accounting |
Kansas City, Mo. |
