ST. LOUIS - Matt Blanco of Illinois State and Nicole Norfolk of Valparaiso are this week’s featured athletes in the MVC Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, presented by State Farm.  

To qualify for the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Spotlight, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30, 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 are evaluated on their campus involvement and community service.

MATT BLANCO, ILLINOIS STATE
SR., CROSS COUNTRY, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, 3.51 GPA
 
NICOLE NORFOLK, VALPARAISO
JR., WOMEN'S SOCCER, CHEMISTRY/BIOLOGY, 3.95 GPA