ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Northern Iowa had three student-athletes named to the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team, the league announced Tuesday.

Junior Hayley Thomas and senior Jill Lageschulte earned the recognition on the women's side, while junior Brett Egan represented the Panther men's squad.

Student-athletes must finish among the top 20 runners at the conference championship, hold at least a cumulative 3.20 grade point average and be at least a sophomore in athletic and academic standing to earn a spot on the MVC Scholar-Athlete team.

Thomas (Rockford, Ill./Winnebago HS) was the Panthers' lone All-MVC finisher at the Valley Championships, finishing ninth with a personal-best 5k time of 18:16.70. She currently owns a 3.70 cumulative grade point average with a major in accounting.

Lageschulte (Marshalltown, Iowa/Marshalltown HS) claimed 19th place in the women's 5k race with a time of 18:41.60. A movement and exercise science major, Lageschulte holds a 3.67 cumulative grade point average.

Egan (Waukon, Iowa/Waukon HS) finished 12th at the conference meet with an 8k time of 25:35.50. He currently holds a 3.97 cumulative grade point average with a major in mathematics.