RICHARDSON, Texas – Five Belhaven student-athletes were named Distinguished Scholar-Athletes for their respected fall sports team, announced by the American Southwest Conference on Thursday.
 
The ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete award recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team.
 
Jonathan Dickson, Kathryn Lee, Chae Levy, Rachyl Sutton, and Sean Tierney were named as members of their respective sport team from the fall season.
 
Dickson was named to the Men's Soccer team, majoring in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. He served as the President of Sigma Nu Epsilon Sigma, the honor society for Sports Medicine/Exercise Science majors, for the last two years. He also served as Vice President of SPECS, a Belhaven organization related to the Sports Medicine Department. Outside of his major, the Tyler, Texas native served on the Belhaven Leadership Council, and he has been involved in Reformed University Fellowship, the Belhaven Activities Team and as a Campus Recreation Coordinator. Furthermore, Dickson has been a member of the Urban Dance Club and has been a part of five Belhaven theatre productions, including two lead roles. During Belhaven's eight-match winning streak, he scored two goals against Louisiana College, which helped the Blazers to a semifinal appearance in the NCCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The senior has a cumulative grade point average of 3.49.
 
Lee was named to the Women's Cross Country team, majoring in Dance. With a cumulative grade point average of 3.90, the Okotoks, Alberta, Canada native has been a member of the Dean's List each semester she has attended Belhaven. She is a member of the Dance Ministry Ensemble, and she has been on the Belhaven Dance Team and the Urban Dance Team. She is also active in Belhaven's Reformed University Fellowship and has been a Resident Assistant. Lee helped the Women's Cross Country team qualify for its first team National Tournament bid at the NCCAA National Championships last November. Lee's best finish came at the ETBU Invitational in October, as she came across the finish line at 26:13.01, good for a 23rd place finish.   
 
Levy was named to the Volleyball team, majoring in Graphic Design. This season, the Waveland, Miss. native finished the fall semester with a 3.88 grade point average, while also participating in Belhaven's Leadership Council and acting as the team captain. The senior finished the season leading the team in kills with 219, an average of 2.07 kills per set. Along with serving on the Leadership Council, Levy also represents the Volleyball team on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Off campus, Levy has added value to the community. This past spring break, she spent time in Mexico on a mission trip helping local churches. She also spent this past summer as an intern in Belhaven's Graphic Design Department. Levy has a cumulative grade point average of 3.59.
 
Sutton was named to the Women's Soccer team, majoring in Business Administration. In her two seasons on the soccer field, she has been an instrumental defender. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla. native's academic efforts started in high school, when she took AP classes in order to accelerate her early college graduation. The junior is a part of the Belhaven Leadership Council who helps new students integrate into the student population. With a cumulative grade point average of 3.67, Sutton represents the Women's Soccer team on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
Tierney was named to the Football team, majoring in Sports Broadcasting. The Keller, Texas native has spent the last two seasons on the offensive line for the Green and Gold. The sophomore has a cumulative grade point average of 3.56. He has been a member of the Dean's List each semester he has attended Belhaven.
 
The Belhaven University Athletics Department leads student-athletes to compete in their respective sports on both conference and national levels, as well as leading student-athletes to mature academically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally as men and women created to honor and enjoy Christ. The Belhaven Athletics Department is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the American Southwest Conference (ASC) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).