A pair of Valparaiso University track & field athletes were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team, which was released by the league office on Tuesday. Fifth-year senior distance runner Ignacio Veloz Bonilla (San Juan, P.R. / American Military Academy) and junior thrower Tommy Palmer (Saco, Maine / Phillips Exeter Academy) were both recognized for their academic and athletic prowess.

To qualify for the honor, student-athletes must own at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average, be at least a sophomore in academic and athletic standing and have placed in the top eight of an individual event or top three in a relay event at the MVC Indoor and/or Outdoor Championships.

Veloz Bonilla, who finished his undergraduate degree with a 3.55 in civil engineering, owns a 3.90 GPA toward his Master’s in Business Administration. He clocked a time of 1:52.16 in the finals of the 800-meter run at the MVC Outdoor Championships, placing fifth and earning four points for his team.

Palmer, who was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete squad for the second straight season, possesses a 3.72 GPA in finance. He notched a mark of 47.43 meters (155-7) in the javelin at the MVC Outdoor Championships, placing eighth in the event.