The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference recently announced the winter honorees of the HCAC All-Academic awards for the 2011-12 school year. Sixteen Bluffton University athletes were recognized for their efforts in the classroom. Women's indoor track and field and men's basketball led the way for the Beavers with five honorees.

Senior Megan Neal (Arlington), junior Maddie Moore (Linn Grove, Ind./South Adams) and a trio of sophomores were all honored by the HCAC. Brandi Dominique (Wauseon), Kayla Mullenhour (Delphos/Jefferson) and Julie Court (Galion) all showed their work ethic in the classroom as well as on the track. Moore was also honored following her sophomore and junior campaigns on the soccer field.

Senior Andy Chaffee (Clarkston, Mich.) and junior Chris Arnold (Fort Wayne, Ind./Canterbury) made it seven total athletes from track and field to be honored and it marked repeat performances for both who earned Academic All-HCAC following the cross country season as well.

Five men's hoopsters earned Academic All-HCAC honors following the 2011-12 campaign. Senior Steve Swick (Elida) and junior Tyler Neal (Bluffton), who is a two-time honoree, were joined by a trio of sophomores in their first year of eligibility. Jonathan Fowler (Cincinnati/St. Xavier), Blade Tackett (Crestline/Colonel Crawford) and Matt Weisenborn (Bowling Green/Otsego) all got it done in the classroom as well as on the court.

Three seniors and sophomore Sarah Inskeep (Morral/Ridgedale) rounded out the Bluffton selections to the Academic All-HCAC list for 2011-12. Seniors Alicia Amis (Mechanicsburg), Brittany Stegmaier (Garfield/Trinity) and Beth Yoder (Marshallville/Smithville) were all recognized from the women's basketball team. It marked the third straight year that Amis, Stegmaier and Yoder have been honored by the conference.

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.