INDIANAPOLIS - The Marian University men's cross country team not only earned its first-ever Mid-Central College Conference title and its best-ever finish at the NAIA National Championships, but a pair of Knights earned another honor for their academic performance.

Senior Kyle Murray (Morgantown, Ind./Indian Creek) was named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the second time as a cross country runner. He also earned the honor as a track and field athlete.

Murray earned a 26th-place finish at the 2009 NAIA National Cross Country Championships and was the individual medalist at the MCC Championships. Not only did he earn the MCC title, but he was also named an NAIA All-American for his outstanding senior campaign.

Senior Michael Foerster (Ferdinand, Ind./Forest Park) was also named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the fourth time in his career. Foerster was a two-sport student-athlete this past fall and earned a 100th-place finish at the 2009 NAIA National Cross Country Championships.

The award is given to those student-athletes who have amassed a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above and have achieved junior standing at their respective institutions.

Last season, the Knights had three named Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes.