ST. LOUIS – Drake University junior track and field student-athlete Conor Wells was honored for his citizenship, sportsmanship and service with the Spring Missouri Valley Conference Leadership & Service Award, the conference announced.

“It means a lot to me to be recognized for work I've done outside of running,” Wells said. “I have always strived to be a well-rounded individual and I'm glad the MVC is trying to recognize its student-athletes for activities outside of sports.”

The Des Moines native, who is also a standout in cross country, is majoring in actuarial science and has been on the President's List for a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in two of his five semesters at Drake.

“Conor is an outstanding student that has certainly proven himself athletically on the MVC playing field,” Drake cross country and distance coach Dan Hostager said. 'What is even more impressive is his care and compassion for others.”

He has also contributed throughout the community, serving as the community outreach chair for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, program coordinator for Penny Wars and Adopt-a-Family and event coordinator and vice president of the Drake chapter of Best Buddies.

“Conor certainly puts a lot of time and effort into various charity organizations and also into making Drake University a better place,” Hostager said. “It's great to see that he's been recognized for this work as I cease to be surprised by his many successes once I recognized the kind of personal qualities Conor possesses.”

To be eligible for the award student-athletes must be in good academic standing, demonstrate good citizenship through sportsmanship and significant community service, and participate in a sport during a season of recognition.

“Once Conor commits himself to a task – whether that task is academic, athletic or personal – he succeeds in a fashion indicative of his many talents and qualities,” Hostager said.

Avery Fuhs of the football team and Cara Lutes of the women's basketball team were the Drake honorees from the fall and winter respectively.

Other spring honorees include:
Ashton Kalhorn, Bradley, men's tennis, junior
Sammy Snygg, Creighton, softball, senior
Kelly Lamarche, Evansville, women's golf, sophomore
Nichelle Harrison, Illinois State, softball, junior
Devin Moore, Indiana State, baseball
Kimsue Grant, Missouri State, women's track and field, senior
Samantha Cameron, UNI, women's track and field, senior
Lucas Cherry, Southern Illinois, men's track and field, senior
Melanie Jaegers, Wichita State, softball, sophomore