ST. LOUIS –  Senior Kelby Jenkins of the University of Evansville has been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Dennis and Jenkins were honored for their performances during the period of September 30-October 6.
 
Now in its 15th year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.
 
For the third time this season, Evansville senior Kelby Jenkins came out victorious, taking top honors in the blue race of the Greater Louisville Classic.  Her time of 17:37.28 was over 12 seconds better than the field as she topped the 329 runners in the event.  Through five events, Jenkins has three victories and two second-place outings.  Making her effort that much more impressive was the fact that it was a rain-soaked course in Louisville on Saturday morning that slowed down the times by an estimated 25 seconds. 
 
When Jenkins' efforts are compared to those in the other races throughout the day, she finished in 12th place out of 898 runners from the United States, including Cally Macumber from UK who finished 6th in the National Championship a year ago. Off the field, she holds a perfect 4.00 grade-point average and majors in accounting.
   
To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
 
Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.