ST. LOUIS, MO.  - Drake senior Jeff Grassmeyer (Fremont, Neb.) has been selected as a Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, for his performance during the period of Sept. 28-Oct. 4.

Now in its 11th year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies.  On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.

A member of the Drake men's cross country team, Grassmeyer, placed fifth in the 2009 Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, Ill., last Saturday.

Grassmeyer, who has a 3.61 cumulative grade-point average in secondary education, tied his personal best for an 8,000-meter course with a time of 25:10 against the 408-participant field.

 To qualify for Prairie Farms/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.

“Prairie Farms and its family of dairies have been the only sponsors of this worthwhile endeavor by the Missouri Valley Conference,” said MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin, who is in his 22nd year with The Valley.  “We are grateful for Prairie Farms continued recognition of our student-athletes for their athletic performance and their academic success.”