ST. LOUIS -- Jake Mazanke and Brittany Gardner of Loyola University Chicago have been selected Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Week, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced today. Mazanke and Gardner were honored for their performances during the period of May 5-11.

Sophomore Jake Mazanke posted a personal-best time of 1:51.64 in the 800m as the LU track team competed at the Dr. Keeler Invite in its final tune-up before the MVC Championship. Mazanke’s time was good for fourth in the event and ties him for sixth on the MVC board heading into the conference meet. In addition, he owns a 3.87 GPA as a journalism major.

Brittany Gardner was outstanding last week, pitching the Ramblers to the MVC softball title game before their run was ended by Bradley. Recently named MVC Pitcher of the Year, Gardner allowed just one earned run with 22 strikeouts in 21 innings of work as the seventh-seeded Ramblers won three games in two days to advance to the championship game before Bradley rallied to claim an 8-7 victory in the title game. Gardner leaves Rogers Park as Loyola’s all-time leader in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts and graduated with a degree in social work.

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.