The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference recently announced the fall honorees of the HCAC All-Academic awards for the 2010-11 school year. Ten Bluffton University athletes were recognized for their efforts in the classroom. Women's soccer and football led the way for the Beavers with four and three honorees, respectively.

Juniors Lyndsay Nelson (St. Marys), Megan Denoi (Bryan) and Meron Dibia (Ethiopia) and sophomore Maddie Moore (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) were recognized from the women's soccer team. It marked the second straight year that Nelson and Denoi were honored by the conference.

Senior Ben Ilnicki (Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf Preparatory) and sophomores Thomas Gingrich (Goshen, Ind./Goshen) and Ryan Sabin (Canal Winchester) from the football team were recognized as HCAC All-Academic. Ilnicki has been honored during each of the three years that an athlete is eligible for consideration.

Representing the volleyball team were juniors Jenna Eshleman (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) and Courtney Zimmerman (Leesburg/Fairfield). Both Eshleman and Zimmerman were honored in 2009 as well.

Junior Heather Smith (Elkhart, Ind./Concord), from women's cross country, picked up her second Academic All-HCAC honor this season.

To be named All-Academic HCAC, a student-athlete must have completed a full year at the institution, be a varsity athlete and carry a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 through the semester preceding the end of the season.