March 24, 2016

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference recently announced the winter honorees of the HCAC All-Academic awards for the 2015-16 school year. Sixteen Bluffton University athletes were recognized for their efforts in the classroom.

Five men's cagers earned Academic All-HCAC honors following the 2015-16 campaign. Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) collected Academic All-HCAC honors for the third straight time, while fellow senior Mitchel Huffman (Jeromesville/Hillsdale) along with juniors Trey Elchert (Jackson Center) and Adam Hopkins (Wellington/Keystone) are all two-time honorees. Sophomore Andrew Hunter (Arlington) was honored in his first year of eligibility.

Seniors Hannah Krull (Lewisburg/Tri-County North) and Aron Gibson (Caledonia/River Valley) are both repeat honorees from the indoor track and field team. It marks Krull's third straight award and the second consecutive honor for Gibson. Junior Anna Hairston (Mansfield/Ontario) was recognized for the second straight year. Sophomores Alisa Hauke (Hillsboro), Sarah Hunter (Mt. Blanchard/Riverdale) and Elaina Alpeter (Galloway/Hilliard Bradley) are all first-time Academic HCAC honorees.

Two seniors, a junior and two sophomores from the women's basketball team were recognized for classroom achievement this winter. Abby Jerger (Middletown/Madison) and Taylor Whitaker (Mansfield/Lexington) were both recognized for the third consecutive season while Rachel Beining (Ottoville) collected her second straight Academic All-HCAC honor. Sophomores Macey Sheerer (Bucyrus), a First Team All-Heartland Conference selection, and Abigail O'Donnell (Arcanum) earned Academic All-HCAC honors following their first season of eligibility.

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.                                              

Bluffton University is a liberal arts residential campus with 39 undergraduate programs, adult degree completion programs in organizational management and human resource management and master's degree programs in education, organizational management and business administration. Founded in 1899 and affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, Bluffton is located in northwest Ohio. The institution has a growing enrollment of more than 1,100 students and 14 NCAA Division III athletics teams. Bluffton's hundred-year legacy is expressed today in its enduring values of discovery, community, respect and service that are woven into the academic program and campus life. Bluffton students go into the world prepared for life as well as for their chosen vocation.

 -BEAVERS-