McShea Honored With MVC Leadership & Service Award

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State junior track and field student-athlete Kelly McShea was selected as one of 10 student-athletes to be honored with the Missouri Valley Conference Leadership & Service Award for the 2014-15 Spring season, which were announced by Commissioner Doug Elgin Tuesday.

Joining McShea as a Spring honoree are Eric Delvo (Bradley, Men's Outdoor Track & Field), Kathryn Clausen (Drake, Women's Golf), Marketa Trousilova (Evansville, Women's Tennis), Megan Stone (Indiana State, Softball), Annie Korth (Loyola, Softball), Ali Trickey (Missouri State, Softball), Alexina Wilson (Northern Iowa, Women's Outdoor Track & Field), Oscar Medina (Southern Illinois, Men's Outdoor Track & Field) and Brianne Bond (Wichita State, Softball).

In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition.  The Valley recognizes 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees, with institutions selecting their MVC Leadership & Service Award honorees.

McShea has been a standout on the track for the Redbirds throughout her career.  The 2015 MVC Indoor champion in the 3,000 meter race, McShea also earned All-MVC honors in the 5,000 meter race at the indoor championships as well.  The Lisle, Ill., native was also the MVC champion in the 5,000-meter race at the 2014 outdoor championship, clocking a personal-best time of 16:43.75 to earn All-MVC honors.  She also posted a third-place performance in the steeplechase with a time of 10:21.93 at the Valley Championships to capture All-Valley accolades and earn her a spot at the NCAA West Preliminary Round.

In addition to her dominance on the track, McShea is also a standout in the classroom and the community.  She currently maintains a 3.73 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) in elementary education and has been named to Illinois State AFNI Honor Roll six times during her career.  She also earned MVC Scholar-Athlete team honors and was selected by her peers as the president of the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

She has volunteered her time at the Day of the Dozer event, as a pen pal with local elementary students, helped with the Sheridan Back To School parade and was a weekly participant in the Recess Buddies program.  She also spent time as a volunteer at the Heyworth school carnival and read to students at the Shining Lights pre-school in town.

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